PSG drop points again in draw with Reims

Kylian Mbappe was rested at kick-off after scoring both goals in PSG's 2-1 midweek win at Real Sociedad which saw them qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

A Paris side showing six changes from that game fell behind in the seventh minute when Achraf Hakimi was dispossessed inside his own box, allowing Oumar Diakite to set up Zimbabwe international Marshall Munetsi to score.

However, PSG - with the names on the back of their shirts written in Korean to mark the opening of a new club shop in Seoul - drew level in the 17th minute. Reims captain Yunis Abdelhamid scored an unfortunate own goal as he turned Hakimi's corner into the net under pressure from Goncalo Ramos.

Portugal striker Ramos then put PSG ahead two minutes later with his ninth goal of the season, finding the net with a deflected shot after the Reims defence had failed to deal with a Lee Kang-in cross.

Yet Will Still's Reims, who sit in mid-table, came back to equalise on the stroke of half-time when Emmanuel Agbadou picked out Diakite with a superb defence-splitting pass, and the young Ivory Coast striker beat PSG's stand-in goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a clinical finish.

PSG coach Luis Enrique sent on Mbappe in the 73rd minute, with Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani also introduced from the bench. Mbappe had several attempts to score but could not add to his 34 goals for the season in all competitions as PSG followed up recent league draws with Rennes and Monaco by dropping points again.

However, a 1-0 defeat for nearest challengers Brest at Lens on Saturday means PSG have a huge 10-point advantage with only nine matches of the season remaining. Third-placed Monaco can move to within a point of Brest with a win at Strasbourg later on Sunday.

 

March 10, 2024