The Stade Bollaert has often proved a difficult trip for PSG in recent seasons – defeat at Lens’ home ground on New Year’s Day 2023 notably set the tone for a tight run-in last season. This time round, a resurgent Artois outfit were keen to claim a statement result against the league leaders once again.
The hosts’ characteristically high pressing paid off within minutes of kick-off, and led to a foray into the box that saw Elye Wahi clumsily brought down by Danilo Pereira. Although Frankowski saw his ensuing penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, it was an early reminder of the issues that Lens’ all-action approach has posed to the champions in their encounters over the last few seasons.
The majority of clear-cut chances in the early exchanges would come for the Sang et Or on the counter. Wahi was again at the centre of action when he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, after fending off Marquinhos again, which was kept out of the top corner by Donnarumma’s fingertips.
It was a counter from the visitors that would see the first breakthrough, though. After winning the ball back from a hesitant Pereira da Costa, Danilo would find Mbappé in space – the captain then threaded it through for the onrushing Barcola, who dinked his finish from an angle past Samba for the opener.
The former Lyon man would be decisive again on the stroke of half-time, weaving past the Sang et Or defence before being brought down on the edge of the box by Jonathan Gradit. As the last defender, the right-sided centre-back was duly sent off.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Lens were still keeping themselves in the game deep into the second half. A hesitant approach from PSG – who were mostly limited to playing around the box – saw the hosts hold on, while Elye Wahi’s one-man mission to keep the opposition defenders busy saw several chances come his way.
As the belief of a comeback grew around the Stade Bollaert, Lens inevitably pushed up in search of an equaliser. A risky tactic, which inevitably handed PSG the three-on-two counter they needed to finish the game off – Dembélé finding Mbappé for a close-range finish from a tight angle.
Given their immediate rivals’ missteps this weekend, the result is unlikely to be too much of a strain on Lens’ hopes of Europe – if anything, suspended coach Franck Haise will be encouraged by the spirited reaction to the red card.
Now 8 points clear at the top of the table, PSG’s likely title win this season will ostensibly be a less close-run affair compared to last year. The novelty, it appears, is that the Parisians now have established and well-oile front three in Barcola, Mbappé, and Dembélé. Whether the trio can carry over their lethal counter attacking displays onto the European stage, though, remains to be seen.
Lens player ratings
Brice Samba, 5
Jonathan Gradit, 4 – The 31-year-old was some way off his reliable best, and he was then sent off just before the break when he brought down Barcola on the edge of the box as the last defender (although there was little else he could do, in fairness).
Kevin Danso, 7 – Lens’ standout performer – the Austrian’s well-timed challenges, interceptions and blocks kept his team in the game until the end.
Facundo Medina, 5
Faitout Maouassa, 5
Neil El Aynaoui, 6
Andy Diouf, 5
Przemysław Frankowski, 3 – A nightmare evening for the Pole, whose early penalty miss set the tone for a shaky performance as he struggled to keep up with Barcola’s electric display.
Florian Sotoca, 5
Elye Wahi, 6
David Pereira Da Costa, 3
PSG player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 7
Carlos Soler, 5 – A solid albeit conservative display in an admittedly unfamiliar role at right-back, alternating with Zaïre-Emery (also playing out of position) the few times he ventured forward. Replaced by Fabián Ruiz, whose lack of composure in front of goal twice prevented PSG from killing the game off earlier on. It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will continue in the role this month, in Achraf Hakimi’s absence.
Marquinhos, 5
Danilo Pereira, 6
Lucas Hernandez, 6
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 5
Vitinha, 6
Manuel Ugarte, 5
Ousmane Dembélé, 7
Kylian Mbappé, 7 – A decisive performance from the captain – a goal and an assist. Like his teammates, he struggled to break down a sturdy Lens defence once the hosts retreated after going a man down, with few
Bradley Barcola, 7 – The summer signing continues to redeem himself after an unconvincing start to the campaign, gliding past defenders with ease and opening the score with a well-taken dink past Samba.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
