From Russia with love: Safonov gives PSG another title

When PSG asked to postpone the game with Lens a few weeks ago, the French public was divided. The club from the north of France rejected the idea but Ligue 1 allowed it. PSG used it perfectly to prepare for the Champions League, defeat Liverpool and eventually book a place in the finals. And by the time this game was about to play, it was all over in Ligue 1 title race. Lens had some bad results before this match and even a win tonight couldn’t help them to secure a surprise title in France. But if the match was played when it was scheduled and if Lens won the game, it could have been a totally different situation. But we will never know that now, as the Ligue 1 did everything in their power to help PSG. Tonight, the Parisians played a bad game but were saved by the keeper Matvey Safonov: Lens – PSG 0-2.

Luis Enrique had to change all four defensive players due to injuries but bravely put Doue, Barcola, Kvara and Dembele into the starting lineup together, which hasn’t happened often this season. In the end, Lens attackers were not concentrated enough and allowed Safonov to be the man of the match and bring PSG their 14th title. The Russian keeper made four great saves and PSG used two mistakes from Lens players to score two goals. Experience.

Whoever watched only the stats of the first half, and not the actual game, was probably surprised to see that PSG were leading 1-0. Lens had 14 shots, (6 of which were on target), compared to the Parisians, who managed only 2 out of 6. But in reality, it was a poor first half with only two proper chances. The first one came from PSG and they scored, while Lens failed to convert on their opportunity. While the guests dominated possession and attacked early on, Lens had their moments and started to press PSG’s back line, after they fell behind. The only goal happened after the first 30 minutes, when Sarr lost the ball at midfield and unfortunately for Lens, Dembele picked it up, and quickly assisted to Kvaratskhelia who had enough time to beat Risser for the lead. Out of all those 14 shots by Lens, only one was really dangerous. It happened in the 45th minute when the hosts attacked from the right and Said met the perfect cross from Aguilar, but shot directly as Safonov from close range.

The second half was dominated by Lens who desperately tried to score at least one goal but Safonov was there to stop it all three times. To be quite fair, Lens players were really not concentrated enough as out of four excellent chances during the whole game, they managed to shot at Safonov directly in three occasions. One of those situations happened in the 46th minute, when Sima took a shot straight at the Russian keeper. Allan Saint-Maximin and Florian Thauvin, who had injury problems, were introduced half an hour from time but failed to make a difference. Sima and Safonov had another ‘clash’ in the 54th minute, but the Lens striker took another shot straight at the Russian keeper. In the 74th minute Safonov was finally beaten, but Sima’s shot hit the bar! That was the last big chance for the hosts, who failed to at least equalize at their own ground and even allowed an injury time goal from Mbaye.

LIGUE 1 ROUND 29

Wednesday

Brest - Strasbourg 1-2 (1-2)

/Ajorque 13 - Barco 9, Nanasi 20/

Lens - PSG 0-1 0-2 (0-1)

/Kvaratskhelia 29, Mbaye 90+5/