Four days after their heroic qualification for the UEFA Champions League final over FC Bayern in Munich, Paris Saint-Germain were back in action, this time at the Parc des Princes as they hosted Stade Brestois 29 in Matchday 33 of the French top flight. Les Rouge et Bleu were looking for a win in their final home outing of the campaign that would see them take a huge step towards retaining the Ligue 1 title.
In driving rain, it was Lucas Hernandez who fired the first shot of the game with a powerful left-footed effort forcing Grégoire Coudert into conceding a corner (7’). Next it was Dro Fernandez to force the Brest ‘keeper into action (15’), before firing wide six minutes later (21’). Alongside Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In, the Paris No.27 was in fine form down the right. Towards the end of the end of the first half, the Parisians were awarded a succession of set-pieces, but they failed to further threaten the opposition goal despite their constant dominance.
Paris went back on the attack after the restart and Senny Mayulu crossed for Gonçalo Ramos, who headed just over (53'). A few minutes later, the France Under-21 international found himself in a good position, but his effort was straight at Coudert (58'). Not to be discouraged, the youngster then unleashed a ferocious effort from just outside the penalty box that curled over the ‘keeper before striking the crossbar and then the post (68').
Having come on a few minutes earlier, João Neves saw his powerful shot fly just over the crossbar (76'). It was ultimately another substitute who provided the breakthrough: on the edge of the box, Désiré Doué created space for himself and unleashed a crisp, low shot that nestled into the net and sent the Parc des Princes into raptures (1-0, 83')! The hard work was done for Les Rouge et Bleu, who could then rely on Renato Marin to keep a clean sheet, saving from Hugo Magnetti (84').
In the end, Paris Saint-Germain secured a deserved victory over a valiant Brest side, giving the Parc des Princes faithful one final home win of the season. Their vastly superior goal difference means the capital club are all-but certain of clinching a fourteenth French Ligue 1 title, and Luis Enrique’s men can make it official when they travel to second-placed Lens on Wednesday for the postponed match from round 29!
