At the Parc des Princes,
And, suddenly, we thought of Vincent Labrune again. Yes, like that, when we catch our breath, after forty-five minutes of breathtaking and entertaining play between PSG and OL, a week after the masterful OL-Brest, the name that whispered in the ear of the TV channels. television came to mind. What if Vincent Labrune was not right? What if our dear and tender Ligue 1 was not worth a billion euros?
Well, the question was quickly answered, as the other would say, after the lemons, where Parisians and Lyonnais had decided to start the peace of the brave. Certainly, there were some little treats from Mayulu or Vitinha, a few saves from Donnarumma, but nothing to do with the football orgy seen during the first act. The very one where we imagined the bosses of Prime Video, Canal+ and all the others saying that yes, it was necessary to revise the proposals upwards in the TV rights negotiations.
Two goals in six minutes
And it didn’t take long for us to imagine a few zeros being added to the checks: barely six minutes. Time for PSG to put OL’s head underwater with two goals from Asensio (or from Matic against his camp, your choice), after magnificent work from Barcola, and from Beraldo, after another decisive pass of the former darling of Décines, today become public enemy number 1 in the Rhône. “We conceded two very quick goals, we didn’t start the match well,” Malick Fofana soberly regretted in the mixed zone.
In the madness surrounding the Parc des Princes, these two early achievements even made us forget the banners deployed by the Collectif Ultras Paris to greet the “warriors” of Barcelona, who qualified for the semi-final of the Champions League, and a first tribute to Marquinhos, who has become the most capped player with the red and blue shirt. Six minutes in hell for OL, who had nevertheless decided to play football with four offensive players (Lacazette, Nuamah, Benrahama and Cherki).
“The whole game plan is not called into question [à cause des deux premiers buts], is that he did not have time to exist, indicated Pierre Sage, the OL coach, at a press conference. But when we were able to express it, we had several situations. » As with Benrahma or Cherki, author in particular of a very high recovery, which allowed him to serve Lacazette in a preferential position, in vain (24th). “In the first half, we struggled to manage their wide position. It was our imbalance between our way of attacking and our way of defending that made the score heavy. »
Barcola, the dynamiter
Because, yes, OL may have had a few opportunities, but above all they experienced an ordeal in the transition phases, taking lightning from Barcola (who made Ashley Maitland Niles look like a first-year chick) often thrown in deep. Fortunately for the Gones, the ball also arrived at Randal Kolo Muani, not really decided to get rid of the scoumoune surrounding him, like on these big occasions (4th, 22nd) where he lacked precision, speed or of technique. Sometimes all three at once.
“We had a magnificent first half, I am very happy,” rejoiced Luis Enrique after the match. […] We controlled the game wonderfully, the midfield was very good and we were able to gain depth. We dominated the match and attacked the depth, that’s ideal. » As on the fourth goal (41st), where, after a majestic ball release from Vitinha, and a relay from Asensio, Gonçalo Ramos, with a sliding tackle, buried Lyon’s hopes.
Hopes, yes, because after the third Parisian goal (the first of the evening for the Portuguese striker, in the 32nd) and a new explosion from Barcola finishing on the post (34th), OL had finally managed to set foot on the ball and finding his wingers restless. Like Ernest Nuamah, who caused Beraldo a few upsets, like his goal (37th) followed by his curling shot on the post (38th).
All this without Mbappé or Dembélé
A festival of goals, chances, play, all with a Parisian team reshuffled after the punishing expedition to Barcelona in the middle of the week. No Mbappé, Dembélé or Nuno Mendes or kick-off. No problem inflicting a beating, then. “It shows the value of the team, it highlights the coach’s philosophy, everyone is ready,” rejoiced Marquinhos. With the tactical training he does, everyone knows what they have to do on the pitch, and after that it doesn’t matter which player is on the pitch. If you have a squad like that who manages to maintain the level, that makes the difference. »
“We will arrive at the decisive moment of the season in ideal conditions, we have a large squad with quality players,” assured Luis Enrique. We must continue to work, with the quality of players I have we must think big. I really liked the match. » Well especially the first period. Because, for the second, the strongest moment was the exit of Marquinhos, which allowed the public to come out of their lethargy a little. Hoping for Vincent Labrune that the channel bosses also fell asleep at halftime. The future of French football is at stake.