Paris share points with Nantes after dominating
In a match that they dominated but failed to break the Nantes deadlock for a second time, Paris Saint-Germain had to settle for a draw against a solid Canaris side on Saturday evening (1-1). Here is a look back at a game that deserved a better outcome for the Parisians.
A few days after their Champions League trip to Munich, Paris Saint-Germain were back in action to take on FC Nantes on Matchday 13 of Ligue 1. To try and beat the defensively-minded Jaune et Vert, Luis Enrique fielded a central defensive pairing comprising his captain Marquinhos, who made his 300th league appearance for Paris, and Willian Pacho. Gianluigi Donnarumma was in goal for Paris, while Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes started at full-back. Vitinha, João Neves and Fabian Ruiz played in midfield. In attack, Lee Kang-In and Bradley Barcola occupied the wings in support of Gonçalo Ramos, back in the Parisian line-up.
The match got off to a flying start in a Parc des Princes that was in good form despite the bitter cold. From the first foray into the Nantes area, the Rouge et Bleu found the target: after beating Fabien Centonze, Nuno Mendes saw his cross flicked on by Gonçalo Ramos before being finished off at the far post by Achraf Hakimi from close range (1-0, 2'). Antoine Kombouaré's men were caught cold by a hungry Parisian side. Dangerous on the left again, it was Bradley Barcola this time trying to make the difference, but Patrik Carlgren did well to deny Vitinha (10'). The Parisians pressed forward, and Lee Kang-In was unlucky to hit the post after combining superbly with Achraf Hakimi (22').
The Parisians controlled the ball, with the Canaries trapped in their own half. This meant that the visitors had no option but to hope for an individual effort to get back into the game, and it was Matthis Abline who rose to the occasion when he equalised with a left-footed shot after a 40-metre run (1-1, 38'). The Rouge et Bleu had to bounce back, and came close to regaining the lead at the end of the first half thanks to a powerful shot from Nuno Mendes that was saved by the Nantes keeper (45'+2).
The start of the second half was a little less exciting for Luis Enrique's men, who were up against a Nantes team more compact defensively and always threatening on the counter-attack. For the first time all night, Gigio Donnarumma was forced to save Matthis Abline's header shortly after the hour mark (63'). It was a warning that woke up the capital club, who were determined to step up a gear and break the Nantes resistance. Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué came off the bench to try and create gaps in the opposition's solid defence.
The Parisian No14 proved his coach right, making the difference a number of times with the ball at his feet, but it was never enough to trouble an imperious Nantes rearguard. The last chance of the game came once again from Paris, but Fabian Ruiz's shot flew past the Canaries goal without finding the net (90'+5).
After a game in which they clearly dominated, but during which they came up against a solid, hard-working Nantes side, Paris Saint-Germain had to be content with a draw, but they still remain 7 points clear at the top of the table. Les Rouge et Bleu return to Ligue 1 action next Friday when they travel to AJ Auxerre (9pm) on Matchday 14.