For Paris Saint-Germain, the concern of the moment is primarily accounting. Without being transcendent in the game, the Parisians accomplished their mission, Saturday evening April 8, by going to win in Nice 2-0 to regain a six-point lead at the top of the standings on the surprising dolphin of Ligue 1, Lens, after 30 days. A success all the more important as the Blood and Gold will travel to the Parc des Princes the next day for an unexpected shock at the top.
On borrowed time since the two consecutive defeats at home against Rennes and Lyon, the PSG coach, Christophe Galtier, copiously whistled for his return to the Allianz Riviera, can breathe after this success, even if he did not appreciate the welcome - vindictive with a banner in support - of the supporters of his ex-club, whom he went to invective at the end of the meeting, before having a tough discussion with his former players Khéphren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo.
But he can first thank Leo Messi, the first scorer of the evening. Criticized for his lack of commitment since the return of the World Cup, the Argentinian took advantage of a defensive wandering to score his 14th goal of the season (26th, 0-1), on a pass from Nuno Mendes, who chained the overflows on the left.
A great Donnaruma
And it also took a great Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Parisian goals, with two splendid parades a few minutes apart at the end of the first half. In the second half he also multiplied the reflex stops (59th, 70th). Because as soon as they returned from the locker room, the Niçois put a lot of pressure on the Parisian goal and got themselves some big chances. In two minutes, Dante took over a ball which hit the crossbar, without crossing the goal line according to the judgment of the referee (51st). Then a one-touch shot from Nicolas Pépé grazed the Parisian post (52nd). Danilo, in a three-way defense with Marquinhos and Ramos, back from injury, also made several life-saving returns.
Messi, whose departure is increasingly mentioned at the end of the season, found the head of Sergio Ramos on a corner, to give more air to PSG (76th, 0-2). The Argentinian's overall performance remains mixed. In the first period, he made Messi: few runs without the ball, no defensive withdrawal, proposals to the economy. On the other hand, with the ball at his feet, he was diabolically accurate. And when Paris tried to curb the attacks from Nice. Messi then became invisible, far from the tumult. But he finished the match with a goal and an assist.
Stuck in a controversy this week, Kylian Mbappé, for his part, was almost transparent, with bad calls and badly distributed passes. The Parisian striker sharply criticized a PSG video on Thursday for renewals for the 2023-2024 season, "disagree" with the use of his image.
“Kylian may have played his 51st or 52nd game tonight [of the season], it is normal that at times you have a shot less well,” explained Christophe Galtier. "I think he played diminished but he wanted to be on the pitch, to be with the team in a difficult moment", added the PSG coach who had asked, during the week, for more " investment" and "personality" to its players. He was heard on Saturday with more cohesion and "pride", even if the team did not shine and was often manhandled by Didier Digard's men, who remained on fourteen matches without defeat in all competitions. Les Aiglons, who have had a string of draws in Ligue 1 since February 26, are seeing European places slip away.
