Paris reassures itself in Nice and gives itself some air

Paris Saint-Germain take a six-point lead. VALERY HACHE / AFP

Paris Saint-Germain, who remained on two defeats in a row, won on the lawn of OGC Nice.

Finally ! PSG regained victory this Saturday evening on behalf of the 30th day of Ligue 1 against Nice (0-2). Christophe Galtier’s men break a series of two consecutive losses and regain a six-point lead over their runner-up, Lens, winner of Strasbourg on Friday evening (2-1).

More accomplished, the Parisians first took control on a first achievement by Messi (26^e) before driving the point home at the end of the game by Ramos (76^e). Paris – which suffered a new extra-sporting controversy this week – is once again widening the gap at the top of the championship.

Messi struck first

Lionel Messi – plagued by whistles from the Parc des Princes during the match against Lyon – lit the first fuse of the match with a shot on target (2^e). Little by little, the Parisians pitched their tent in the Nice camp, multiplying the duplication and strikes. Under the eyes of the coach of the Blues Didier Deschamps, the neo-capé Kephren Thuram distinguished himself on a strike captured by Donnarumma (16^e). But Didier Digard’s men were hot a few minutes later on a header from Danilo Pereira, pushed back by the post.

And as a symbol, Leo Messi opened the scoring before the half hour mark. The world champion took over a good cross from Nuno Mendes and scored his 14^e goal of the season. But twice at the end of the first period, the Ligue 1 leader relied on his Italian goalkeeper, imperial this Saturday evening. First on a center well cut by Nicolas Pépé (42^e) before winning again ahead of Terem Moffi (44^e).

Lionel Messi scored the game’s first goal. VALERY HACHE / AFP

Upon returning from the locker room, the Nice people, reinvigorated, were not paid for their efforts. First on a strike from Dante, who, after touching the bar, did not entirely cross the line… Only a few millimeters. Then on a shot from Nicolas Pépé, pushed back with the fingertips by Donnarumma (52^e). The Italian international made another decisive tap 20 minutes from time in front of Todibo.

But realistically, Galtier’s men drove the point home in the 76th^e minute. Ramos, present and dangerous on all corners, rose higher than everyone and headed a brushed corner from Messi to score the break goal (76^e). Nice will not recover and mark time in the hope of qualifying for Europe while PSG regains a six-point lead over Lens.