PSG did not have the foresight of the absent Leo Messi and substitute Neymar and let a win away from home slip away for the first time this season when they visited Òscar Garcia’s Reims (0-0). Despite conceding their second tie since the start of Ligue 1 after playing an inferior second half due to the dismissal of Sergio Ramos, the Parisians remain unbeaten and extended their lead to three points as second-placed Marseille lost earlier at home against Ajaccio (1-2).
Christophe Galtier, without Messi due to the muscle problem he suffered on Wednesday against Benfica, left Neymar on the bench and started Kylian Mbappe. who was in doubt due to angina, with the most Spanish PSG of the season with Sergio Ramos in defense, Fabián Ruiz and Juan Bernat in midfield, the novelty of Carlos Salor and Pablo Sarabia in the lead.
Despite the fact that Fabián Ruiz forced local goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf to make a spectacular save to save his shot (12′), PSG did not feel comfortable against Reims, located in the relegation zone, who had a lot at stake and placed of intense pressure and character against the high quality of its rivals.
Mbappé appears holding hands
It remained 0-0 as the minutes ticked away and encouraged Reims to push, putting the Paris defense in some trouble. Mbappé appeared little in the first half but had a clear chance when he received deep and stood for speed against Diouf, but he was covered in the heads-up (34′).
Reims responded immediately and in the next game Marshall Munetsi’s half-turn shot was missed due to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save.
Red to Sergio Ramos
Before the break came the controversial move of the match. Marco Verratti committed a foul and the referee showed Sergio Ramos a yellow card. The Andalusian protested and, according to Canal Plus France, Sergio Ramos told the referee in Spanish “why give me a yellow card? Damn.” Pierre Gaillouste interpreted that he was insulting him and showed him a direct red card (40′).
Because of this decision, Reims retired at half-time with the advantage of a corner which, after several rebounds, central defender Emmanuel Agbadou finished a meter from the goal.
Enter Neymar
After the break, it was seen that the game was following the same path, Galtier brought on Neymar instead of a cautious Carlos Soler and PSG, outnumbered, won the offensive weight.
Mbappé linked up with Neymar by putting in a deep pass that left him on the left but the Brazilian adjusted his shot to the short post and it went wide (66′).
Foolish attempts
Reims was undaunted and the game entered a two-way phase. The tension with which it was played from the start led to two foolish attempts and in the final moments Achraf Hakimi, Neymar and Mbappé saw yellow cards.
It wasn’t enough for PSG to win and for Òscar Garcia’s team the point was an emotional boost in their fight for permanence.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
