PSG take the lead in the standings, Nice knock out an apathetic Lille team
Paris-Saint-Germain celebrated the return of its supporters to the stands with a victory against Strasbourg (4-2), Saturday August 14, for the second day of Ligue 1, taking the lead in the standings after a marked evening by the presentation of his summer recruits, Lionel Messi in the lead.
Messi did not play but PSG nonetheless had a dream evening, the memory of which will long remain engraved in the memory of the 48,000 spectators who have waited for this moment for months.
On the ground, the Parisians delivered a first period of fire, up to the impatience of their fans, with goals from Mauro Icardi (3e), Ludovic Ajorque against his camp (25e) and Julian Draxler (27e). The result was less flamboyant, the fault of the many absences (Neymar, Messi, Di Maria, Verratti …) which deprived Kylian Mbappé of support, author of two assists.
It took the 4-2 by Pablo Sarabia (85e) to seal a compromised success, for a time, by catchy Strasbourg residents. Indeed, Kevin Gameiro (53e) and Ajorque (65e), each one of the head, made hover the scenario of a « Remountada », until the exclusion of Alexander Djiku (80e) does not interfere with their plans.
The Parisian public has already given a first glimpse of what the atmosphere will be like when Lionel Messi touches his first balls as a PSG player. A welcome banner in Spanish, and chants to his glory accompanied the Argentine’s presentation, one hour before kick-off.
Winning return for Galtier, who humiliates Lille with Nice
Christophe Galtier has played a nasty blow to his former club. 83 days after offering the title of champion of France 2021 in Lille, the coach found the Stade Pierre-Mauroy but in the opposing camp. On the bench of OGC Nice, he won 4-0 against LOSC and thus won his first victory for his new club after the draw against Reims (0-0), Sunday August 8.
The afternoon had however started in joy for some 30,000 Lille supporters back in their den. They admired the Hexagoal – the trophy awarded to the Ligue 1 champions – presented to the public before the meeting and then warmly cheered Christophe Galtier when the announcer chanted his name.
But the Northerners were quickly showered by the breathtaking start of the Niçois. The kickoff had not been given for more than a minute that Kasper Dolberg was already cooling an entire stadium after an Amine Gouiri festival (0-1, 1D). Five minutes later, Hicham Boudaoui doubled the bet with a clear shot in the skylight (0-2, 6e) following a high recovery from Gouiri.
The latter was one of the great architects of the Nice victory, like his attacking friend Kasper Dolberg. The first transformed the penalty from 3-0 (45 + 3e) caused by the second, who offered a double in the second half (0-4, 64e). “We win 4-0 against the champions, that’s something. I am really very happy ”, rejoiced the Dane at the microphone of Prime Video.
Hanging in Metz (3-3) last weekend, the LOSC does not succeed, in the game or in the attitude. Jocelyn Gourvennec’s players only have one point and especially seven goals conceded after only two days.
“Last year is over. You have to write a new story, forget the celebrations and focus on the work ”, warned Lille captain Jose Fonte after the match. Rough return to reality for the reigning champion.
