Since we have to act as if, let's say that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is still not officially champion of France. But, after their narrow success, Sunday, May 21, on the lawn of Auxerre (2-1), the Parisians almost recorded the eleventh title in the history of the club.
After Lens' victory at Lorient earlier on Sunday (3-1), PSG remain six points ahead of the Sang et Or, and have a goal difference largely in their favor, two matchdays behind. the end of the championship (50 against 34). Unless PSG suffer two big defeats - against Strasbourg and Clermont - and Lens get two wins with a shower of goals, a record eleventh title will reward the Parisians after a trying and not always controlled season. .
"I remember the victory, of course, which leaves little hope for Lens, which is having a great season," said PSG coach Christophe Galtier after the match, disappointed by his players' second half. At the bottom of the table, Auxerre is still not saved after this defeat and remains in first non-relegation place (16th, 34 points), just ahead of Nantes (17th, 33 points).
Express double from Mbappé
This match at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium, which was sold out, was marked by the return of Parisian ultras, on strike for several days. Chants, flags and smoke bombs: around 1,000 PSG supporters, including 400 members of the Collectif Ultras Paris, were heard throughout the match, a sign of warming up with the club.
In the field and as often this season, Kylian Mbappé put on a show from the start of the match: after a festival of hooks in the Auxerre area, the French striker lodged the ball in the skylight (1-0, 6th). Two minutes later, served by Leo Messi, he made his "special", a curling shot from the right, at the entrance to the surface (2-0, 8th), the earliest double in Ligue 1 since 2012. Two shots, two goals for the Parisians. "On the game, I remember what we did in the first half, because it was good football," commented Christophe Galtier.
In the second half, Kylian Mbappé could have scored a hat-trick, but Radu first came out well (58th), then the Parisian number 7 scored but saw his goal disallowed for an offside position (92nd). With twenty-eight goals this season in the league, he keeps his first place as top scorer in Ligue 1, still ahead of Lyonnais Alexandre Lacazette, who scored again on Friday (twenty-six goals) and follows him closely.
In Strasbourg for the official coronation
Lionel Messi, best passer in the championship (16), who is probably living his last hours in the red and blue jersey, has for his part failed several times in front of the Auxerre goal. Established for the third time in a row alongside Messi and Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike again gave a mixed performance. The former Reims failed to score despite a caviar from Mbappé (42nd) and he was in difficulty in his placements and in his duels. He finally limped off (54th), replaced by the Portuguese midfielder Vitinha to restore some vigor to the Parisian midfield.
Because, as too often during this second part of the season, PSG let their opponent revive at the start of the second period. AJ Auxerre, galvanized by their public and by the many chances of the first half, resurfaced thanks to Lassine Sinayoko's first goal on a block (1-2, 51st). Imperial until then, the Parisian goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma let the ball pass under his flank. But he proved valuable again after the score was reduced, thanks to several parries.
Like its midfield, the Parisian defense evolved on a thread, never far from completely cracking under pressure from Burgundy. It took a save from Danilo Pereira with a header and on his line (63rd) to avoid an equalizer. Saturday, in Strasbourg, the Parisians could be champions, for good.
