Paris St. Germain was able to win all of its last five competitive games – but now lost a three-pointer against third-placed Brest. Even a deserved two-goal lead wasn’t enough for the champions.
This much was certain before kick-off: a series would definitely end this Sunday evening. Either PSG’s series of five competitive game wins in a row or third-placed Brest’s series of even six competitive game wins in a row. The home team tried from the start to ensure that the latter series came to an end.
PSG coach Luis Enrique made four changes to his starting eleven after the 4-1 cup win at US Orleans the previous week, including moving the actual number 1, Donnarumma, back into goal. The Italian initially had a relaxed start to the working day; in the first few minutes, his counterpart from Brittany, Bizot, was the focus. The Brest keeper saw a powerful shot from Vitinha sail over his goal in the 4th minute, and in the 9th minute he had to parry against Mbappé, who in turn aimed it over the crossbar just five minutes later.
As the first half progressed, the guests got into the game better, made life difficult for PSG and gained possession of the ball themselves. The home side didn’t have any good chances, Brest, on the other hand, had a few tricks, for example with a direct free kick from del Castillo (28′). But then Paris switched quickly in the 38th minute, Barcola’s fantastic chip ball into the box found Asensio, who volleyed the reigning champions into the lead.
After another chance for Zaire-Emery (42nd), Kolo Muani punished a mistake by the guests: Chardonnet lost the ball in the build-up game, Barcola served Asensio, who was sprinting into the penalty area, whose attempt was parried by Bizot. But only in the middle, where the ex-Frankfurt player pushed the ball over the line (45th).
Brest comes back
The guests came out of the locker room more actively and tested Donnarumma with several, ultimately harmless shots. But Brest shortened the score in the 55th minute. On an assist from del Castillo, Camara finished at five, but didn’t hit the ball properly. But Danilo Pereira unfortunately deflected the ball, which rolled into the goal (55th).
Afterwards, Mbappé on one side (a shot from a reserve over the goal, 67′) and Lala on the other side (Donnarumma parried, 74′) came close to the goal again, but the game was now a bit more subdued overall. PSG didn’t want to risk too much, Brest was still waiting for the final offensive.
In the end, the guests didn’t need them at all. Because in the 80th minute, a stroke of genius equalized. Substitute Satriano was sent deep with a great pass on the left side. The 22-year-old used his space, dribbled into the penalty area and passed powerfully into the five-pointer. There, Pereira Lage – also a substitute – was ready to steer the ball into the near corner with his heel (80′).
Two yellow cards for Barcola within two minutes
PSG then increased the pressure again, but the guests intervened with a lot of passion, as with Mbappé’s finish in the 86th minute. There was no further goal, but things got strange again in stoppage time. Barcola initially received a harsh yellow card – Lees-Melou actually seemed to have kicked himself into the ground (90.+2) – and just two minutes later he hit Brahimi from behind with no chance of the ball, yellow-red (90.+ 4).
That didn’t change the end result. This is how both winning streaks ultimately ended. PSG remain at the top of the league with a six-point lead and next visit Racing Strasbourg on Sunday. The next top game against second place OGC Nice awaits Stade Brest on Sunday. On February 7th there will be a new edition of today’s duel in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.