Just three days after their epic 5–4 victory over Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain were back at the Parc des Princes, this time hosting FC Lorient on Matchday 32 of Ligue 1. Up against a fearless Lorient side that has performed well in the top flight this year, Les Rouge et Bleu were determined to continue their pursuit of the title. Paris started the match strongly, with a cross from the left by Désiré Doué leading to the opener from Ibrahim Mbaye, who pounced on the Lorient goalkeeper’s clearance (1–0, 6').
Lorient hit back from a set piece, as Panos Katseris delivered a cross for Pablo Pagis to equalise (1–1, 12'). The game was well underway, and Paris could rely on the support of their fans to carry out their mission. A few minutes after troubling the Breton defence (19’), Bradley Barcola tried his luck from the left, aiming for the far top corner, but without success (24’). Désiré Doué followed suit, weaving past the defence and sending a ripple of excitement through the Parc, but his left-footed effort missed the target (27’). From a corner taken by Lee Kang-In, Senny Mayulu finally got a shot on target, but Yvon Mvogo was equal to it (33’).
From the next move, Dro Fernandez delivered a cross from the right to find Lucas Hernandez, whose header this time struck the Lorient goalkeeper’s crossbar (34'). Wave after wave of Parisian attacks crashed into the Breton penalty area, but Mvogo kept his side level, as shown by another save from Lee Kang-In’s powerful strike (39’). At the start of the second half, Lorient’s defensive block left less space for the Rouge et Bleu, who found it harder to create danger in front of goal. On the hour mark, Luis Enrique made changes, and their impact was immediate.
With his very first touch, Warren Zaïre-Emery tried his luck from 20 metres out and restored the lead for the club from the capital (2–1, 62’)! But despite offering little going forward, the visitors managed to equalise again from one of their rare forays into the Paris penalty area. Played through on goal, Aiyegun Tosin used the post to bring the sides level once more (2–2, 78’). That sparked the Bretons into life, as they looked to replicate that counter-attack moments later. This time, however, Renato Marin came out on top in his one-on-one with Tosin (83’).
In a lively final fifteen minutes, the Rouge et Bleu had one last chance, but luck was not on Paris’ side this afternoon, as Lucas Hernandez’s header struck the Lorient post for the second time in the match (85’). Despite dominating the game, Paris Saint-Germain were ultimately held by a particularly clinical FC Lorient side.
Luis Enrique’s men nevertheless remain top of Ligue 1, now temporarily seven points clear of RC Lens. The club can from the capital now turn their attention to Munich, where a tough battle awaits against Bayern on Wednesday in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. The countdown is on!
