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PSG’s poor run continues with Reims draw


Paris Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe

Football Football – Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v Stade de Reims – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – January 29, 2023 Kylian Mbappe of Paris St Germain reacts REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

PARIS – Paris St Germain’s mediocre streak in Ligue 1 continued as they lost their final 1-1 draw at home to Stade de Reims after playing with just 10 men on Sunday.

Neymar scored early in the second half before Marco Verratti received a red card shortly after coming on as a substitute, with Folarin Balogun equalizing six minutes into injury time.

PSG, once again lacking in creativity, missed their chance to extend their lead in Ligue 1 to five points after trailing RC Lens, Olympique de Marseille and Monaco also picked up just one point on Saturday.

The capital team, who have lost 2 of their previous 3 games, have 48 points from 20 games with Lens on 45 and Marseille on 43 in the open championship race.

Reims is 11th with 26 points after extending their unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 to 12 matches.

“I have no words to describe this match. We need to change our mindset,” said PSG midfielder Danilo Pereira.

“We have to be able to endure together. If we don’t do that, it will be very difficult for us.”

PSG played Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar for the first time this year but fell asleep in the first half, finishing with a single shot while Reims, who played with a tight defence, threatened past Marshall Munetsi, Alexis Flips and Balogun.

It prompted coach Christophe Galtier to replace Vitinha with Verratti in midfield and the Italian had an immediate impact as PSG finally applied some pressure.

In the 51st minute, Messi’s shot missed Neymar, who dribbled past Yehvann Diouf before sending the ball into the net.

However, Verratti’s contribution came to an end in the 14th minute when he received a red card after reviewing VAR after a rough tackle on Junya Ito.

But PSG continued to dominate as Sergio Ramos headed home and Achraf Hakimi’s goal was disallowed for offside.

Thinking the hosts would take the three points, Balogun edged past Ramos before dribbling past Gianluigi Donnarumma and piling the ball into an empty net to score a well-deserved equalizer, his 11th goal of the season.

Earlier, Olympique Lyonnais won 2-0 against AC Ajaccio to get the first win in the last 4 matches in the league thanks to goals from Johann Lepenant and Alexandre Lacazette.

The heat flared up after the final whistle when a scuffle broke out between employees on both sides.

Lyon ranked 9th with 28 points.

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