Doue misses the penalty but PSG still win

Paris Saint-Germain did not have to push too hard — RC Lens self-destructed as expected, and now it is up to the Parisians to simply showcase their superior quality and stroll toward the title in the remaining 10 rounds. After Matchday 24, the reigning European champions hold a four-point lead over second place, having defeated Le Havre AC 1–0 away on Sunday evening.

The winning goal was scored by Bradley Barcola in the 37th minute after an assist from Lee Kang-in, and by the end of the match PSG could easily have added at least five more goals against the 13th-placed side. Desire Doue took the first penalty of his senior career (outside of shootouts), but failed to convert. One of the world’s top young talents saw his spot kick saved by the Normandy side’s Senegalese goalkeeper, Mory Diaw. Immediately after the match, Diaw explained on camera why he managed to save the penalty.

“I’m a Liverpool FC fan. I saw him take a penalty against Liverpool last season in the UEFA Champions League. I chose to dive to the same side he shot against Liverpool. That’s exactly what he did — and it worked,” Diaw explained.

hen PSG had already piled up a huge number of missed chances, an unwritten football rule would suggest such wastefulness must be punished. However, that was not the case — mainly because their opponent lacked enough quality in attack. Still, it was interesting to see how, in the final ten minutes, PSG decided to defend deep on Le Havre’s pitch, metaphorically sitting in the lap of goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

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One of the few tougher Ligue 1 challenges remaining on paper awaits next weekend, when PSG host AS Monaco FC at the Parc des Princes. After that comes the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Chelsea FC. PSG certainly have the squad depth to fight on two fronts — that is not in doubt — the only question is whether they will allow any more dropped points against smaller opponents before the end of the season. The title, by all accounts, does not appear to be in danger.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 24

Friday

Strasbourg - Lens 1-1 (1-0)

/Panichelli 18 - Sangare 62/

Saturday

Rennes - Toulouse 1-0 (1-0)

/Nordin 27/

Monaco - Angers 2-0 (0-0)

/Balogun 57, Adingra 62/

Le Havre - PSG 0-1 (0-1)

/Barcola 37/

Sunday

17.00: (2.50) Paris (3.45) Nice (3.00)

19.15: (1.50) Lille (4.50) Nantes (7.00)

19.15: (2.10) Lorient (3.45) Auxerre (3.90)

19.15: (3.70) Metz (3.50) Brest (2.15)

22.45: (2.05) Olympique Marseille (3.60) Olympique Lyon (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***