⚽️ ⚽️ Paris Saint-Germain 4, Angers 0 ⚽️ ⚽️
PSG - Angers ( 4-0 )
PSG had a big showdown on Saturday against Angers, one of two teams tied for second place in Ligue 1 standings, behind first place PSG.
As it turns out, however, PSG put on a clinic, and really produced the kind of game that left thir fans applauding and hailing their football heroes at game’s end.
Pablo Sarabia scored the first goal of the game in the 13th minute, displaying wonderful control of the ball and working his way past two close defenders to blast one into the goal off of his left foot, giving PSG the early lead.
The second goal of the game was the product of beautiful passing by PSG, from Neymar to Sarabia, before Mauricio Icardi kicked the ball into the goal past a bewildered Angers defense in the 37th minute. That allowed PSG to take a comfortable 2-0 lead into the locks at halftime.
But they would add more in the second half. The third goal revealed even more beautiful passing that served to confuse Angers, before Idrissa Gana Gueye pounded the ball into the goal in the 59the minute for a 3-0 lead.
Of course, Neymar produced late again, scoring the last goal of the match in the 90th minute for the game’s final margin. He took a pass and worked his way past Angers goalkeepers Ludovic Butelle, who collapsed during his pursuit. Neymar was then able to pelt the ball into the goal for the fourth and final goal of the match.
Angers had been tied with Nantes for second place in Ligue 1 standings, both trailing behind PSG by two points. But PSG’s win means that Angers now drops to third place, although Nantes won on Saturday as well, beating OGC Nice 1-0, which was enough for them to remain in second place behind PSG, still by only two points. PSG now has 21 points in nine games played, and has won all but two of their games thus far. Angers, meanwhile, had started the season off quite hot, but they have slowed down a bit with two losses and a tie in the last five games.
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ReplyDeleteThis was a rare instance where all three of my favorite Ligue 1 teams won. Saint-Étienne earned a hugely important 1-0 win at home against their longtime regional rivals Lyon, while Reims prevailed on the road by the same score against Rennes.
ReplyDeleteAs for PSG, this was of course their most lopsided Ligue 1 win in several weeks. I kind of figured modest Angers wasn't as good as their record would suggest. Somehow I can't picture them finishing in the top 5, much less "sur le podium", i.e. the top 3. And what a week Mauricio Icardi had, scoring the only goal against Galatasaray in Istanbul, then following that up by contributing to the rout of Angers!
In other soccer news, the Red Bulls backed their way into the playoffs by losing the regular season finale in Montréal (which didn't qualify for the postseason), 3-0. Although I hope I'm wrong, I somehow don't see them making much of a run. Stay tuned...
Well, I was pleased that PSG won this one so decisively, and am also glad to hear that the Red Bulls are in the playoffs, even though it appears their championship drought might continue. Are you sure that it was not a situation like in the NFL, when in the final game, a team already clinched a playoff spot and just coasts through a game without their starters, to try and keep them healthy for the postseason? That happens a lot, and often times leads to weaker teams beating up on usually stronger teams and earning a win, even though they did not actually beat the best that the better team has to offer? Because that is a common occurrence in all major North American sports, and I would have figured it might be in the MLS, as well. As for Saint-Étienne, I kind of like them, but in a more distant way. I admittedly do not have the memories of their early days of glory like you do.
DeleteI'm sure that happens in MLS as well, but there actually was something at stake: the Red Bulls might have hosted a playoff game had they won that game. Instead, an improbable trip to the MLS Cup Final could only result from winning three road games against higher-seeded opposition to get there. In other words, don't bet the ranch on it, even if once again I would love for them to prove me wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs for Les Verts (Saint-Étienne's nickname), I don't remember their glory days per se either. They were consistently either the best or one of the best teams in France until the early 80s (1981 was the last time they were crowned French champions), and even made it to the final of what's now known as the Champions League in 1976, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in Glasgow. But I can't say I was into soccer when we were in Bois-d'Arcy. I started developing an interest in it here in the States, particularly when NBC (if memory serves) broadcast the 1986 World Cup. It was a rare opportunity to see players including but not limited to Michel Platini on TV on this side of the Atlantic.
Yeah, the 1986 World Cup featured the first soccer games that I remember watching or being interested in, as well. Particularly the game between France and Brazil, which was very memorable and exciting.
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