Paris-Saint-Germain provided the essentials by winning against Nice (2-1), Saturday, February 13, but Kylian Mbappé’s partners did not show an attractive face before their very important match against Barcelona on Tuesday, in the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, they returned to first place in the Ligue 1 standings, before the matches in Lyon in the evening and Lille on Sunday.
In the absence of their superstars, the Brazilian Neymar and the Argentinian Angel Di Maria, who will also miss the trip to Catalonia, the Parisians first mastered harmless Niçois in the first act. They were rewarded with a goal from the German Julian Draxler, aligned as a playmaker and started in the league for the first time in nearly four months.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were in much more difficulty after returning from the locker room, and left their opponents to believe in a return. The Niçois quickly equalized thanks to the Portuguese Rony Lopes, who took advantage of a poor recovery from the Parisian captain, the Brazilian Marquinhos. The goal did not serve as an electric shock to his partners, little present in the midfield, and late in the duels in defense.
No further injury
Amine Gouiri even almost gave the advantage to Nice after a counterattack on the hour mark, but the crossbar, which had helped Nice’s first goal, this time pushed back the attempt.
As often, the Italian Moise Kean donned the costume of savior and allowed to go for the victory, scoring of the head after a nice deflection of the Argentinian striker Mauro Icardi. It’s his tenth goal in 17 games.
Highly anticipated, Kylian Mbappé signed a few raids where he showed his racing speed but he failed to shelter PSG.
Far from being brilliant, the Parisians succeeded in essentials and above all did not have to deplore any injuries before the match against Barcelona. Mauricio Pochettino can at least be happy with that.
