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Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made the trip to Lorient for their final game of the year on Wednesday night.
The hosts came into the match on the back of eight consecutive defeats in all competitions and had little hope against the mighty PSG. On the pitch, however, the story was starkly different.
Lorient started the game on the front foot and were thoroughly the better team in the first half. They played direct, straightforward long balls, which were enough to catch PSG’s lackluster defense out. Lorient forward Terem Moffi beat Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe time and again through his intelligent runs, but his abysmal finishing let him down.
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With only five minutes left to play in the first half, Lorient finally got the goal they thoroughly deserved through Thomas Monconduit. The midfielder got hold of the ball on the edge of the penalty area and hit the top-right corner of Keylor Navas’ goal with immaculate precision.
Lionel Messi failed to hit the back of the net once again, but was by far PSG’s best player on the pitch. He was excellent with the ball at his feet and even called the Lorient keeper into action with a half-volley in the first half.
PSG were marginally better in the second half, but an unnecessary red card for Sergio Ramos in the 86th minute complicated proceedings. Thankfully for the traveling fans, PSG still had some gas left in the tank.
In injury time, Hakimi swung in a cross from the right, finding Mauro Icardi's head, with the Argentine thumping it home to make it 1-1.
Here are the top five PSG players who underperformed in the 1-1 draw with Lorient on Wednesday:
#5 Georginio Wijnaldum
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has not found Ligue 1 to be as straightforward as he might have expected. He is yet to emerge as a difference-maker for PSG and that showed on the pitch last night as well.
Against Lorient, Wijnaldum made only one key pass, did not attempt any crosses, and could not work the keeper even once. Another subdued performance by one of the best in the business.
#4 Marquinhos
PSG skipper Marquinhos had an awfully subpar outing against a relegation-threatened Lorient side on Wednesday. The Brazilian was caught out by Lorient's intuitive long-balls time and again and was lucky to get away scot-free.
The veteran defender won only two of his six attempted duels, lost possession four times and made no tackles, interceptions or clearances.
#3 Nuno Mendes
PSG left-back Nuno Mendes has been one of their brightest spots this season. The 19-year-old is quick off his mark, knows how to play out of trouble, and contributes immensely during transitions. The Portuguese is also an excellent crosser of the ball, capable of finding his target in a sea of opposition.
Against Lorient, Mendes had the opportunity to showcase all his skills and more. He had the time and space to run at the hosts and could have easily been one of PSG’s standout performers.
Instead, he ended up cutting a frustrating figure and was deservedly subbed at half-time, with Sergio Ramos replacing him.
The PSG full-back lost four of his 10 duels, gave away possession 14 times, and could only swing in one decent cross. To his credit, he did create a big chance early on, but Icardi could not do his cross justice and dragged it wide.
#2 Angel Di Maria
With Kylian Mbappe suspended and Neymar injured, Angel Di Maria got the chance to join PSG’s attack. He operated on the left-flank and tried his best to combine with his compatriots Lionel Messi and Mauro Icardi.
As expected, Di Maria had no trouble combining with the other two PSG forwards, but his finishing once again let him down. The former Real Madrid star simply could not keep his effort on target. In the 32nd minute, Hakimi’s ball for Icardi fell into the path of Di Maria, who skied his effort high and considerably wide.
Ten minutes into the second half, Di Maria once again found himself in a favorable position inside the box. Once again, he failed to keep his effort on target. Di Maria had a couple more attempts at goal, but neither was good enough to trouble opposition keeper Paul Nardi.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Former Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos came on as a half-time substitute for Nuno Mendes. The Spaniard could have easily influenced the game with his ingenious attacking runs and leadership skills. Instead, he chose to be reckless and irresponsible and ended up getting marching orders after 40 unimpressive minutes on the pitch.
Ramos picked up two yellow cards in the 81st and 85th minutes respectively, to leave PSG a goal and a man down. First, he needlessly slid into Enzo Le Fee to give away an egregious foul, picking up his first-ever yellow card for PSG.
Four minutes later, Terem Moffi tried to get past the hot-headed defender with a neat trick, but Ramos was having none of it. Ramos blatantly got in Moffi's way and brought him down to the ground to deservedly pick up his second yellow.
It was another typically frustrating night for one of the most decorated and controversial personalities in football.
