⚽️ ⚽️ Stade de Reims 2, aris Saint-Germain 0 ⚽️ ⚽️
Paris Saint-Germain - Stade de Reims ( 0-2 )
After a brilliant start to the season that saw them pull ahead of everyone for sole possession of first place in Ligue 1 standings, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a loss yesterday that served as a sober reminder that they still need to execute and earn another championship, if indeed they are to obtain one at season's end.
PSG had some opportunities, but failed to convert, before their frustrated home crowd. Meanwhile, Stade de Reims was able to capitalize on a couple of their opportunities. The first came when Hassane Kamara scored in the 29th minute to give the visiting team a 1-0 lead, which they kept through the first half.
PSG continued to be unable to answer with a score, and Stade de Reims played solid defense, continually frustrating the home team and their fans, before Boulaye Dia iced the game with a goal in the 4th minute of extra time, providing the final margin of 2-0.
With this loss, PSG lost sole possession of first place and is now tied with Angers for first place in the Ligue 1 standings, each side having 15 points after 7 games played so far this season.
Easily the most surprising result in Ligue 1 so far this season. My guess is that PSG perhaps rendered themselves guilty on some level of looking past this game. Because let's face it: on paper, Reims has absolutely no business defeating PSG in Reims, let alone at the Parc des Princes. I still think that PSG will win another championship, and actually have mixed feelings about this result since PSG, Reims and Saint-Étienne are my three favorite French clubs.
ReplyDeleteNot that it's an excuse, but I think this is actually a fairly common phenomenon. If you follow some of Europe's biggest clubs (including but not limited to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich or the top English clubs), their rare losses often come against surprisingly modest opposition. Look for PSG to rebound when they play Bordeaux on the road in two days. If they somehow lose that game, however, some PSG supporters may start calling for coach Thomas Tuchel's head. Stay tuned...
Everyone suffers upsets and letdowns every once in a while. So long as PSG does not make a habit of it, I suspect that they will still be in good shape.
DeleteYes. As you may have heard, PSG beat Bordeaux on the road, with a goal in the 70th minute from - you guessed it - Neymar. It's a good thing he's been hot as of late, with fellow big-name strikers Cavani and Mbappé on the injured list until further notice.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Reims followed up their shocking upset win in Paris with... drum roll, please... a loss at home to Dijon, who had been in last place. That dubious distinction now belongs to Saint-Étienne, which will attempt to begin clawing its way back up in the standings when they travel a few miles north of the Mediterranean tomorrow to take on Nîmes.