PSG beats RC Lens 3-1 to maintain lead in Ligue 1
On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won a home match against RC Lens, with a score of 3-1, to maintain their nine-point lead in Ligue 1. Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Vitinha scored for PSG while Przemyslaw Frankowski’s second-half penalty gave a consolation goal to the visitors. The match also saw Salis Abdul Samed’s red card after a lunging and dangerous tackle. PSG seemed to have taken it easy against Ligue 1’s second-best side after they were reduced to 10 men.
Mbappe, who appeared fatigued recently, wrote himself into the history books at Parc des Princes as PSG’s leading Ligue 1 scorer with 139 goals. He combined with Messi to create the hosts’ third goal after Vitinha added to Mbappe’s opener. Nuno Mendes was also impressive but missed a goal of the season contender only by a whisker.
PSG’s Could Have Done More Earlier This Season
This win followed back-to-back victories against two of the more established Championnat sides. However, it feels like Paris could perhaps have done more earlier this season, especially in UEFA Champions League and Coupe de France. PSG is currently being run closer for the Ligue 1 title than they expected in a season where they are barely achieving the absolute minimum.
PSG Underfire
Currently, PSG head coach, Christophe Galtier, is under-fire because of a scandal concerning his time with Nice, and Mbappe is pushing PSG on their heavy use of his name for their season ticket campaign. Nevertheless, PSG’s win against RC Lens should put an end to the crisis.
With the likes of Lens and Olympique de Marseille trailing PSG, it might seem like overtaking them is unlikely. However, considering the unpredictability of this iteration of the capital side, it is too soon to tell what might happen in the rest of the season.