Parisians salvage a draw against Clermont

Between qualifying for the final of the legendary Coupe de France and the prospect of returning to Champions League action, the Parisians also had the tough task of keeping up the pace in Ligue 1. However, it was also important to look at the bigger picture: because he was hosting a Clermont team bottom of the league, in a match jammed into a packed schedule, Luis Enrique logically managed his squad by keeping a number of players on the bench on Saturday evening. This decision was reflected in his starting eleven, for which he made no fewer than 9 changes compared to the last Ligue 1 match. In fact, two new faces - Senny Mayulu and Yoram Zague - were included from the start, the latter playing his very first professional match.

If the league table is one thing, sometimes the reality on the pitch is quite another. The first match in Auvergne (0-0) proved that counting on the huge gap between the two sides was out of the question. The start of the game showed just how determined the Parisians were to win this clash of extremes. Unfortunately, against the run of play - and somewhat against all logic - it was Clermont who opened the scoring with a messy goal from Keita (0-1, 32').

If that goal had any merit, it was to force the Red and Blues to raise their game. But against a team that was already well organised and that was now even more willing to sit back, it was inevitably going to be a tough task. Yet that was without counting on the determination of our troops, starting with the titis. Senny Mayulu thought he had started the comeback with a superb strike - a goal that was eventually disallowed for a foul earlier in play. But that shot from the edge of the box proved to be the wake-up call for our Red and Blues, who were ready and raring to go after the break.

The pressure soon became unbearable for the visitors. As the minutes ticked by, the chances began to multiply, the biggest one coming from Achraf Hakimi's effort, which hit the crossbar (58'). In search of an equaliser, Luis Enrique brought on Kang In Lee, Kylian Mbappé and Marquinhos. The latter two had a triple chance with Hakimi, but they were equally unlucky, seeing the Brazilian's header rebound off Ndiaye's bar (72'), before the keeper pulled off a save from Gonçalo Ramos (80'). Luck was not on our side, but it was not time to stop pushing.

It was the Ramos-Mbappé duo who provided the spark. The Portuguese played a one-two with the Frenchman before finishing with his scoring instinct with a perfectly weighted effort (1-1, 85').

After a complicated game, Paris Saint-Germain snatched a point from the jaws of defeat to continue their run at the top of the table, making it their 27th consecutive game without a defeat in all competitions. It's a feat that puts our Red and Blues in good shape ahead of the big mountain climbs coming up. On Wednesday, Barcelona will come to the Parc for an exceptional Champions League quarter-final first leg. The stage is set. We can't wait...