PSG slumped to yet another home defeat – their third of the season in Ligue 1 – on Sunday afternoon, as Christophe Galtier’s men, who were reduced to ten men early on, were convincingly outplayed by a confident Lorient team.
The afternoon could not have started in worse fashion for the hosts. Lorient, evidently undaunted by the prospect of taking on the league leaders, struck first with an elaborate team effort, Enzo Le Fée finishing from close range after Romain Faivre’s outside-of-the-boot assist.
Christophe Galtier’s return to a four-man backline would be short-lived, with Achraf Hakimi picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Darlin Yongwa. Although a man down, PSG would manage to draw level soon afterwards, as Kylian Mbappé made the most of an ambiguous situation after a penalty shout to swipe the ball from Mvogo and finish into an empty net.
But Le Fée and Faivre would continue to tear apart a weary and shuffled PSG backline, with the pair combining again in the build-up to Yongwa’s strike, putting the Bretons ahead at half-time.
The Bretons would show a more timid face going forward in the second half – although PSG’s lack of incisiveness meant that they were never truly bothered at the back either. Eventually, substitute Bamba Dieng scored what he thought to be the goal that sealed it, only for an offisde call to rule out his strike. The former Marseille was unbothered though, and found the net again second later – this time, a with the entire attacking half of the pitch to run into after a jubilant PSG raced forward when his first goal was ruled out. Régis Le Bris’ men then duly saw out a much-deserved win against an unthreatening opponent. For the league leaders, it’s yet another home defeat in 2023 – one that may well put the title back on the line, given Marseille have the chance to go back to within five points later on.
PSG player ratings:
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 5
Achraf Hakimi, N/A – The Moroccan was sent off within twenty minutes for a couple of late challenges.
Sergio Ramos, 4
Marquinhos, 4
Juan Bernat, 3
Marco Verratti, 3
Danilo Pereira, 5
Vitinha, 5
Carlos Soler, 3 – The Spaniard was nowhere to be seen, making virtually no meaningful contribution (0 dribbles completed) nor any willingness to push his team on. Replaced at half-time by Fabián Ruiz, who did manage a few useful runs, to no avail.
Lionel Messi, 4 – In every PSG match, the Argentine has very few chances to influence the match, given his isolated playmaker position – sometimes this leads to decisive performances, and other times, like tonight, the direction of the game meant he was unable to drag ten-man PSG to any result.
Kylian Mbappé, 5 – Showed some good awareness to score the equaliser, making the most of some confusion in the Lorient box over a penalty shout. Managed some good runs forward as was clearly the most incisive of the home players, even if his teammates were not on the same wavelength.
Lorient player ratings:
Yvon Mvogo, 7 – Could have showed more awareness on Mbappé’s goal, although he can be excused given the confusion just after a penalty shout for PSG – nevertheless made some impressive stops, beating the French forward in a one-on-one situation in the first half and pulling out a point-blank save from Danilo’s header in the second.
Vincent Le Goff, 6
Bamo Meïté, 6
Monatassar Talbi, 5
Gédéon Kalulu, 6
Darlin Yongwa, 7
Laurent Abergel, 7
Romain Faivre, 7 – A sensational link-up with Enzo Le Fée which led to both of Lorient’s first-half goals. The attacking midfielder was driving the ball forward for the majority of his team’s attacks and his ease on the ball was on full display. Some questionable decision-making in the final third – his shot selection, mainly – after the break meant the Bretons were unable to put the game beyond reach until the very end.
Enzo Le Fée, 7 – His early goal set the tone for a supremely impressive midfield performance, dictating proceedings as PSG struggled to advance past his team’s midfield – his constant recoveries and through balls made him the centrepiece of a comprehensive Lorient showing.
Bonke Innocent, 6
Ibrahima Koné, 5