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It’s Not Pretty, but PSG’s Dogged Side Is Keeping Them in Ligue 1 Title Race
- Updated: November 28, 2016
Paris Saint-Germain are back within striking distance of the summit of Ligue 1 after a 2-1 win over an impressive Olympique Lyonnais.
After the midweek draw against Arsenal in the Champions League, Les Parisiens could have been forgiven for dropping points away to a buoyant Lyon, but they showed the resilience that has defined their season to emerge with all three points.
PSG have rarely been excellent this season, and Sunday’s performance was no different, but their dogged refusal to be beaten is becoming a theme.
They lead Les Gones by 10 points after Edinson Cavani’s match-winning brace capped an excellent week for the French champions.
For Lyon, any title hopes have been dashed and even Champions League qualification could well be beyond them.
Unai Emery’s side have now done something that Laurent Blanc’s PSG could never do, win against Lyon away from home.
Emery restored the formation that had undone OL in the Trophee des Champions in August, the 4-2-3-1, and it paid instant dividends.
Lyon were deployed in only three lines, and PSG’s midfield were able to exploit that rigidity to consistently recycle possession.
The hosts were overwhelmed virtually from the outset, and PSG’s attackers were guilty only of occasionally overplaying their hand.
Hatem Ben Arfa showed brief flashes of brilliance on his return to the starting lineup but remains only a qualified success in his brief PSG career so far.
Cavani opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but to enter the break with only a one-goal lead did a disservice to the performance in the opening period.
Lucas Moura has been the star of the season so far, and he was heavily involved again as PSG dominated. He was involved as Thiago Motta was felled for the spot-kick, and his constant movement gave Lyon’s defence no peace.
Lyon manager Bruno Genesio’s half-time introduction of Mathieu Valbuena, and the accompanying change of shape, gave Les Gones control and forced the visitors back.
Valbuena scored his first goal for OL in over a year, taking full advantage as Rafael’s brilliant curling shot rebounded off the post, to spark a dominant second-half performance.
Maxwell, the 35-year-old full-back playing his third game in eight days, showed his age in that moment as the ex-Manchester United man blew by him.
From that point, PSG were scrambling.
Desperate …
