Enrique gambled and lost! Lorient trip PSG in title race

Massive upset in France! The Ligue 1 and Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, failed to beat the relegation-strugglers Lorient on the road, drawing 1-1. And the one to blame is their boss, Luis Enrique.

The Spaniard wanted to rest several key players, giving a chance in the XI to youngsters: Warren Zaire-Emery, Ibrahim Mbaye, Quentin Ndjantou, and Senny Mayulu. It's safe to say it didn't pay off...

After a goalless first half, Enrique sent Joao Neves and Vitinha to the pitch, and PSG scored just four minutes after the break over Nuno Mendes. However, Lorient's Igor Silva equalized, and set the final score.

Afterwards, the Saints boss tried to wake his team up by subbing on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Goncalo Ramos, but it was too late.

The Parisians practically threw the entire first half out the window, as they had only three attempts in the opening 45 minutes. Not too bad in general, but for PSG's clash against the minnows Lorient, it was poor.

The only two experienced offensive players, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, seemed unmotivated against relegation-strugglers and were rather mediocre.

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Hence, Enrique had to react at the break, subbing on Joao Neves and Vitinha for the duo of youngsters, Mbaye and Ndjantou. And it instantly brought benefit, as the Saints broke the deadlock only four minutes after the break.

His first attempt following a cross from the right flank was stopped by Lorient's goalie Yvon Mvogo, but the Portuguese was there to tap the rebound into the net.

However, the visitors' joy lasted only two minutes, as Les Merlus almost instantly levelled! Once again, the rebound ended up behind a keeper's back, only this time, the home crew's defender, Igor Silva, had a much tougher job than his counterpart in PSG's ranks.

Yet, the Brazilian awaited the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a genuine missile, which Lucas Chevalier couldn't stop.

Enrique sent Khvicha Kvarastkhelia and Bradley Barcola to the pitch shortly after the hour mark, while Goncalo Ramos entered a quarter of an hour later. Still, the eventual winner was yet to come.

And the Parisians didn't await it until the end! Lorient's defence held out, Mvogo stopped Khvicha and Barcola's dangerous efforts, and PSG lost two vital points. Now, Marseille have a chance to catch up with them at the top of Ligue 1 table. On the other hand, Les Merlus are still in the relegation zone, but this point won against the European Champions will significantly boost their confidence.

FRANCE - LIGUE 1 MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday

Le Havre - Brest 1-0 (0-0)

/Sangante 73/

Lorient - PSG 1-1 (0-0)

/Silva 51 - Mendes 49/

Metz - Lens 2-0 (0-0)

/Hein 87 pen, 90+1/

Nice - Lille 2-0 (1-0)

/Diop 29 pen, Jansson 88/

23.05: (4.65) Nantes (3.85) Monaco (1.80)

23.05: (1.25) Olympique Marseille (6.00) Angers (11.0)

23.05: (2.70) Paris (3.40) Olympique Lyon (2.75)

23.05: (1.75) Strasbourg (3.60) Auxerre (4.90)

23.05: (2.25) Toulouse (3.50) Rennes (3.40)

***odds are subject to change***