PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain is potentially one win away from clinching their 12th Ligue 1 title after a 4-1 thrashing of Olympique Lyonnais that didn’t even require a full-strength starting line-up as Kylian Mbappe started as a substitute along with Ousmane Dembele. Goncalo Ramos, the French superstar’s replacement, did well with two first-half goals as part of a four-goal blitz that also saw Marco Asensio and Lucas Beraldo contribute to a first-half masterclass at the Parc des Princes.
By resting the likes of Mbappé, Dembélé and Fabian Ruiz while Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Ugarte were suspended, Luis Enrique revealed PSG’s focus on potential UEFA Champions League glory as the French giants reach the semi-finals where they will face Borussia Dortmund . Barcelona’s heroic midweek success, which emerged from the quarter-finals 6-4 on aggregate despite trailing 3-2 after the first leg, was celebrated by the home fans who were treated to an attacking spectacle.
Ramos, who was overlooked for much of the first leg against Barcelona in Paris and the entire second leg in Catalonia, took his chance to impress with a pair of fine goals before half-time. Asensio reminded his coach what he is capable of with a goal and an assist after a forgettable first half of the first leg against the Blaugrana – even though Nemanja Matic helped the ball in here. Beraldo also put his torrid opening game behind him with his first ever Parisian goal with an assist from Bradley Barcola, who had no problem celebrating passionately in front of the Lyon fans despite being a former OL player.
What was emphatically indicated by this performance from PSG was that, with Ligue 1 almost in the bag and the Coupe de France final already booked against the same Lyon team, the capital club are 100% focused on their two-legged European mission against Dortmund, which starts in just over a week in Germany. Luis Enrique did not have to field a full-strength team against OL and probably won’t have to do so against FC Lorient or Le Havre AC, both of which are now matches in which PSG could seal their latest Championnat crown against relegation-threatened sides. .
Looking at the upcoming games, PSG should have a good run in Dortmund as long as no key players get injured between now and then, while the games against Toulouse, OGC Nice and Metz should be more or less pointless if Ligue 1 is sewn up . If so, it will be ideal preparation for the Coupe de France that concludes the domestic season and a possible Champions League final in London, where the club now dreams of renewed success after the heartache of 2020.
Part of Luis Enrique’s approach so far since arriving in Paris has been tinkering with his formations and the timing of those experiments has often put the team in jeopardy. The Spaniard is now expected to focus on keeping his strongest squad as fresh as possible so they are ready for the games in Dortmund and Lyon’s rematch in Lille. The great thing about confirming the Ligue 1 title this midweek in Lorient is that these experiments can take place at home without having to worry about the potential impact of one or two losses.
Of course, it may not suit Mbappe to sit out games between now and the end of the season, but the France international can’t deny that it has helped him perform at key moments in PSG’s season and perhaps he will finally see the logic the performance of Luis Enrique. tough love. At this stage of the season and with so much at stake, every player will be hopeful of forcing their way into UCL contention for Dortmund and no one will want to get injured prematurely – especially if any Ligue 1 matches are scheduled after the next competition loses its meaning. week. The draw has opened for PSG and they are determined to grab their chance.
