Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 5, 21/09/24
Paris Saint-Germain dropped points on the road as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Stade de Reims at the Stade Auguste Delaune.
After a difficult Champions League fixture against Girona FC, PSG were hoping for a simpler task against Reims as they hoped to continue their winning start to the season. The hosts would be far from obliging racing to an early lead when Junya Ito rushed down the right wing and launched a cross into the box.
Keito Nakamura met the ball and while his initial shot struggled to leave his foot, it travelled far enough to bounce off Marquinhos, and the Japan international was far more clinical with the rebound as his shot went past Matvei Safanov despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
PSG as expected controlled possession. The navy blue and red shirts swarmed and circulated around the pitch, fully embracing Luis Enrique’s fluid football. However, Reims were difficult to break down and quick in transitions, with Ito providing the engine for their attacking thrusts forward.
Lee Kang-in came the closest to opening the scoring for Les Parisiens after Désiré Doué acting as a false nine in place of the injured Marco Asensio cut a cross towards the South Korean international. The midfielder’s shot flashed towards the goal but Yehvann Diouf was able to stop the ball.
For the first time this season, PSG were behind as they entered the second half. The league leaders had come from behind the weekend before when they went 1-0 down to Lille OSC, and there was clearly belief that they would be able to do the same against Reims with Luis Enrique not making a change at halftime.
Doué’s first start would come to an end early into the second half. The false nine collided with Emmanuel Agbadou, PSG appealed for a penalty but the referee was unmoved by their protests. The new signing, however, looked to be struggling and in the 65th minute, he was replaced by Ousmane Dembélé.
It would take only a couple of minutes for Dembélé to make his mark on the game. The forward would latch onto the end of a fantastic deep cross from João Neves. The ball whipped through the box and almost went out of play but Dembélé managed to keep the play alive with a tight-angled shot that slipped past Diouf.
PSG pushed for the winner but it would never come and Reims were left wondering how they didn’t get the 3 points after a last-minute miss from Nhoa Sangui. The league leaders never left first gear this evening. They will likely end the week in first due to their impressive goal difference, but Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco will be licking their lips over the chance to draw level at the top.
PSG Player Ratings
Matvei Safanov, 5
Lucas Beraldo, 5 – Replaced in the 83rd minute by Nuno Mendes.
Willian Pacho, 5
Marquinhos, 4
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 5
Vitinha, 5 – Replaced by Fabián Ruiz in the 70th minute.
João Neves, 7 – The game changer. Five assists in his first five games for PSG (albeit the first four came in the opening two games). The midfielder rescued the game with a brilliant cross that connected with Dembélé and allowed for PSG to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Lee Kang-in, 6 – Replaced in the 83rd minute by Senny Mayulu. A bright game for the South Korean international. He will be disappointed not to have scored in the first half after he was on the receiving end of two good opportunities. Lee also managed to set Barcola up but the winger’s header floated over the crossbar.
Bradley Barcola, 4 – A really disappointing evening for the winger. He struggled to make his mark on the game.
Désiré Doué, 5 – Replaced five minutes after the hour mark by Dembélé. The new signing looked to grow into the game as the first half wore on. However, he struggled to make an impact and ultimately limped off the pitch after he collided with Emmanuel Agbadou in the 55th minute.
Randal Kolo Muani, 6 – Starting inplace of Dembélé.
