PSG, a 10th title, but no victories

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Last Saturday, after 34 days of league 1 championship, the champion was known. PSG then celebrated its 10th title of champion of France. However, the party is not total, because the club of the capital did not win. The opportunity was given to him Friday night to forget this misstep. 

Background

For the opening of the 35th day, the club of the capital moved to Strasbourg. The opportunity to forget the draw against Lens, but also to wear a different jersey than the usual one. Indeed, it will now include a star, symbolizing the 10 championship titles, above the club's crest. A match that is therefore important for Paris, but even more so for Strasbourg. In particular, because a victory would allow Racing to stick to 3rd place in the championship. In addition, the Strasbourgeois would take their revenge on the first leg (4-2 for PSG at the Parc des Princes). In summary, we have a game with different stakes for both teams, the result of which could be fraught with consequences.

Pre-match stats

Racing Club de Strasbourg has 56 points in Ligue 1 this season, which is already its best single-year total since the 1996/97 season (60, 9th place). With 15 wins and only 8 losses for 11 draws, the RCSA has a very good year aiming even for a European place. In addition, since its return to the elite (2017/2018 season), Strasbourg has lost only once at home against Paris in 3 confrontations (1 win, 1 draw). Paris Saint Germain remain unbeatable this season at home. On the other hand, 4 teams beat him away (Rennes, Nantes, Monaco and Nice). The Parisian team has 78 points and 13 points ahead of the second in the championship. They are the best offense and the second best defense.

Teams

Unsurprisingly, Racing starts with a formation in: 5-3-2. The only change compared to last week's match against Lille (1-0 defeat) is the presence of captain Liénard. Compo de Strasbourg On the PSG side, no surprise either at the level of the formation: a 5-2-3 that can turn into a 3-5-2 in the offensive phase. On the other hand, 3 changes are to be noted compared to the last match (1-1 against Lens). Changes concerning the left side, with Bernat and Perreira replacing Mendes and Gueye. In addition, Donnarumma finds his place in the cages. Compo du PSG

The match: Strasbourg / PSG

From the beginning of the match, the Alsatians were dangerous thanks to a high pressing. They are very quickly recomposed, Gameiro opens the score in the 3rd minute. With more desire and intensity, Thomasson even doubled the bet, in the 10th minute. But the joy is short-lived, as the goal is disallowed because of an offside position. It will be necessary to wait for the quarter of an hour of play to finally see PSG take possession of the game on its own. A possession, which allows them to equalize, thanks to a deep pass from Neymar for Mbappé (1-1, 23rd). It was Mbappe's 23rd league goal this season. Awakened by this goal, Paris pushes for the next 10 minutes. It also takes a good Sels to divert a free kick from Messi. The pace, from the last 10 minutes before half-time, drops in intensity. Both teams returned to the locker room after a balanced half-time in the score and in the game.

Second half

On the return of the locker room, the Parisians settle in the Strasbourg half of the field. The pace became quite intense again. From the 50th minute, the capital club hopes for a penalty, Mbappé collapses in the box while Nyamsi unintentionally puts his hand in his face. The referee will not whistle penalty. No penalty either, 2 minutes later, when Gameiro tangled in his dribbling in front of Marquinhos. After several chances for Strasbourg, including a strike from Prcic that came close to the window (57th minute), Paris reacted against. In the 64th, at the end of a collective action, Hakimi finds the skylight of Sels, on a center back of Mbappé (1-2). In the aftermath, Racing cracked with a missed back pass from Djiku that Mbappé took advantage of by adjusting Sels (1-3, 68th). Then comes the time of changes on the Strasbourg side and the control of the ball by the Parisians. Until everything changed, in the 75th minute, on an Alsatian corner diverted by Verratti against his own side. This reduction in score gives CASN hope. Then, PSG is under pressure, but saves for the moment the 3 points thanks to the clumsiness of its opponent. A clumsiness that disappears in stoppage time, with a goal from Caci (92nd minute), Strasbourg finally gets a 3-3 rather deserved. Score final Strasbourg-PSG Finally, it is on a draw that ends this match. On the Parisian side, this result leaves regrets and does not remove some concerns. In addition, Paris went a second match without a win. On the Strasbourg side, we can be satisfied with the state of mind of the team and to have taken a point from the champion. The RCSA is still in the race for European places before the other matches of the 35th day. To review the best moments of the match: https://twitter.com/PSG_inside/status/1520886027480711177