Paris win again in Lyon!
Paris returned from Lyon with a precious 1-0 victory in Week 8 of Ligue 1, at the end of a fiercely competitive 90 minutes at Parc OL. Les Rouge et Bleu head into the international break sole leaders at the top of the Ligue 1 standings!
A sold-out stadium, players giving it everything and a top-of-the-table clash for one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes on the Ligue 1 calendar: this was the setting for Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais in the final battle before the international break. Paris coach Christophe Galtier went with a new-look starting XI, featuring Marco Verratti and Fabian Ruiz in midfield.
It was always going to be a special match, and the two sides went for it right from kick-off. Both sides showed great intensity in each duel, with every tackle. The Parisians had been warned: in this gala match, there would be no quarter asked, nor given.
But Les Rouge et Bleu showed they were up for it from the get-go, showing great teamwork to break down a well-organised Lyon block. Paris’ bright start quickly paid off! The first combination between the front three ended with a Leo Messi – Neymar Jnr one-two and the Argentine legend caressed the ball beyond Anthony Lopes (0-1, 5’). It was a work of art!
Paris were on top, but there was no question of relaxing in defence and the entire side worked desperately to deny Lacazette and Toko-Ekambi at the other end of the pitch (20’, 21’, 30’).
The team's attacking trio had the home side in a spin and Messi was denied a second by a Lukeba goal-line clearance (46’)! And while the duo of Danilo and Vitinha took over brilliantly in midfield, it was entire Parisian attacking force that went in search of a second to make the three points safe: Nuno Mendes' for Neymar Jr. and the save by Lopes (71’), Mbappé's lightning counter and Messi always probing from open play (78’) and with a free-kick (90+1’)...
In an unbridled end to the game, Paris held firm, and while they couldn’t add that second goal, they barely afforded Lyon a sniff of an equaliser.
Brilliant and united, the French champions moved clear at the top of the standings and can head of to the international break on the back of a seventh win in eight games and a fourth clean sheet on the bounce. Bravo!