'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQj/2gAIAQEAAAAAnov/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAeEAABBAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEEQAFEiFhof/aAAgBAQABPwDT4ojCkNk0BOugINKvO0ru/MWF3n//xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIy/9oACAECAQE/AKyj/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQD/2gAIAQMBAT8AC//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Having endured a couple of stalemates in their last three Ligue 1 matches, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) returned to form with an emphatic win over Reims on Sunday.
Goals from Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos and Danilo Perreira, alongside an own goal by Wout Faes, ensured a comfortable 4-0 victory for the runaway leaders. The massive win saw PSG extend their advantage at the top of the table to nine points after 22 rounds of French top-flight football this season.
Playing away from at the Parc des Princes, no one expected PSG to drop points. However, Reims did not seem to care much about their odds and came at the hosts with all their might. They called Keylor Navas into action a couple of times, but luckily for the leaders, the Costa Rican shot-stopper was up to the task.
Trending
PSG’s first goal came through Verratti just before half-time, which seemed rather unfair on the visitors who had fought valiantly until that point. PSG kept piling on the pressure in the second half and Reims were unable to cope with the onslaught.
Sergio Ramos scored the second in the 62nd minute, before Faes’ 67th-minute own goal took the game out of Reims’ reach. Danilo scored the fourth and final goal of the game in the closing embers of the match to ensure a 4-0 win for the hosts.
Lionel Messi, who featured for the side from the French capital for the first time this year, had a decent 30-minute cameo. He is expected to return to starting XI after the international break.
Here are five Paris Saint-Germain players who impressed in their 4-0 victory over Reims at the Parc on Sunday night:
#5 Leandro Paredes
Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes was all over the pitch on Sunday.
He controlled the tempo well and struck a fine balance between attack and defense.
Over the course of the 90, Paredes completed 123 passes, made two key passes, and provided five long balls. Defensively, he won nine duels, made a couple of interceptions and attempted seven tackles.
#4 Danilo Pereira
While Paredes was comfortable playing through the middle, Pereira took the responsibility of keeping the right side mobile.
He was a tad more defensive than his midfield partners but took his chance well in the 75th minute.
Latching on to Kylian Mbappe’s delivery, Pereira decided to put his foot through and was helped along by Faes’ involuntary touch.
The resulting strike wrong-footed Predrag Rajkovic, handing the Portuguese his fourth goal for PSG.
#3 Sergio Ramos
PSG signed Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos for free in the summer of 2021. The Spaniard, who has been hailed as one of the best defenders in history, was expected to make a quick impact. Unfortunately, injuries have not yet allowed him to thrive for his new employers.
Last night, Ramos looked at his 100 percent for the first time in Ligue 1 and commemorated the occasion by scoring his first goal for PSG. In the 62nd minute, the veteran centre-back into the back of the net after Reims failed to clear their lines.
The Spaniard saw his first goal-bound effort blocked by Rajkovic, but the visitors could not deny the defender a second time.
Defensively, too, the former Los Blancos man looked calm and collected. He had four clearances, intercepted the ball once, attempted three tackles and six duels.
Overall, an immaculate display by the four-time Champions League winner.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
With Neymar ruled out and Messi still not fit enough to feature, the onus once again fell on Kylian Mbappe to put in an inspiring shift. Unfortunately, the left-winger did not manage to get on the scoresheet, but he was inspiring nonetheless.
To no one’s surprise, Mbappe used his pace and trickery to leave defenders for dead. His movement was clever and he was rarely cornered by Reims’ hardworking defenders.
In the 75th minute, Mbappe dashed down the left, beat challenges, and set up Danilo for PSG’s fourth. The assist was statistically Mbappe’s highest point of the night, but there were many other praiseworthy moments.
Overall, Mbappe took five shots, with two of them managing to work the keeper.
He completed five out of his six attempted dribbles, provided two key passes and created one big opportunity. A stellar display by the former Monaco man.
#1 Marco Verratti
PSG’s midfield general, Marco Verratti, took on a more adventurous role against Reims and was ultimately handsomely rewarded for it.
The Italian not only kept the ball moving for the Parisians but also looked to occupy threatening areas more often than not.
The maestro opened the scoring for the home side a minute before half-time, slotting home from a half-volley.
After seeing Mauro Icardi’s original effort blocked, Verratti decided to try his luck at goal. His effort rattled the frame of the goal and went in, giving Rajkovic no chance.
The Italy international also played a part in PSG’s third goal of the night in the 67th minute. Messi found Verratti inside the Reims box and the midfielder was prompted to pull the trigger.
Defender Wout Faes came in the way but only to help Verratti’s effort along with a crucial deflection. It was given as an own goal in the end, but the props had to go to Verratti to force it.
