PLAYER RATINGS | Lorient 1-4 PSG: Title within reach for Les Parisiens | OneFootball

Ligue 1, Matchday 29, 24/04/2024

Paris Saint-Germain had done the hard work after defeating FC Lorient all that was left to do now was wait and see if they would be crowned Ligue 1 champions for the twelfth time. A draw or a defeat from AS Monaco, as they hosted Lille OSC, could decide matters later tonight.

A victory tonight against FC Lorient had looked certain to even the most pessimistic Parisien. PSG were up against a team in the relegation zone who have not won a game in their last six matches. The writing appeared to be on the wall from the very first whistle, it was never truly a question of if the league leaders would win, rather it was when and by how many.

Despite this, Lorient looked the more dynamic side for an early patch in the game as PSG fell into a hypnotic but sterile passing rhythm that barely looked to advance into the final third. The first few chances fell to the hosts as Imran Louza attacked down the right before cutting the ball back towards Ayman Kari. However, the PSG loanee’s shot was dragged wide, letting his parent club off the hook.

It was when the game became more stretched that the visitors finally found pockets of space to attack and exploit, and the difference in quality soon became apparent. PSG won the ball on the halfway line in a scrappy bit of play that saw both sides scramble for control, Gonçalo Ramos was able to shift the ball forward towards the 17-year-old Senny Mayulu who could then release Ousmane Dembélé.

The winger ghosted past a Lorient defence stuck still as they watched him drift towards the penalty spot before taking his placing his shot low and in the corner, to put PSG ahead on the night. Lorient barely had time to breathe before the visitors found the net again.

It was a scintillating attack signed and stamped by Kylian Mbappé. The left winger found the ball in deeper positions around where a number 10 would stay, and it was from that he orchestrated a move that he would finish. Nuno Mendes stampeded into the space evacuated by Mbappé’s movement before receiving the ball and delivering a pass back to his captain.

A touch of genius to the finish as Mbappé allowed the ball to run through his legs before the flick of his backheel guided the ball home. Still, Lorient had not given up hope. They again threatened the PSG goal as Tiémoué Bakayoko latched onto a header, forcing Gianluigi to pull out a spectacular behind-his-back save.

Lorient replies before Mbappé puts the result out of reach

Again Lorient showed promising signs with Louza bursting forward and cutting the ball back towards the penalty spot. However, his pass never threatened to reach Eli Junior Kroupi. The hosts were desperate not to allow PSG to celebrate tonight and kept attacking the wings without much success in their deliveries.

However, PSG responded by making it three unanswered goals. Mbappé was again influential as he received the ball from a long pass from Lee Kang-in. The star man battled with Nathaniel Adjei but eventually twisted and turned the defender until he could no longer keep up with him. It was then a simple pass across the face of the goal to find Dembélé waiting to tap the ball home.

Both managers rang their changes, and it was Régis Le Bris whose substitutions made the difference, as Benjamin Mendy and Bamba Dieng combined. A wonderful cross from Mendy found Bamba who grabbed hold of the chance, heading the ball past Donnarumma.

Lorient carried on their efforts putting the league leaders under intense pressure. The crowd were buoyed by the goal and willed the side on believing that they were more than capable fo turning this result around. Mendy was a constant threat running through on the wing and delivering inch-perfect passes to his teammates. Space was always open on the wings for Lorient to focus their efforts down.

Regardless of the deficit, nerves began to take hold. A little bit of caution and hesitation was starting to appear in Les Parisiens’s game. Mistakes were beginning to creep in when a touch more control would have dampened the crowd and killed belief. It took a last-minute goal from Mbappé to settle the nerves completely. The seconds ticked by and PSG knew they had done their part to claim the title tonight, but Lorient had proven difficult opponents despite the unfavourable scoreline.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6

Nuno Mendes, 7

Lucas Hernandez, 6

Milan Škriniar, 5

Yoram Zague, 5

Fabián Ruiz, 6

Lee Kang-In, 7

Senny Mayulu, 6

Kylian Mbappé, 8 – There have been occasions where the forward has been accused of being unmotivated. This was anything but the case tonight. The captain was like a man possessed, as he constantly fought for possession, flying into tackles as soon as the ball was lost. An excellent attacking display to match his unlikely defensive capabilities.

Gonçalo Ramos, 7 – a convincing performance from the striker who could not manage to put his name on the scoresheet. He played an impressive role out of possession, and constantly looked to selflessly help his team.

Ousmane Dembélé, 8 – A brace for the player who has been criticised for his inability to score. Dembélé was in fine form tonight to create a dangerous-looking attack.

GFFN | Nick Hartland