Paris Saint-Germain took a giant leap towards the Ligue 1 title, delivering a dominant performance against Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes. The 4-1 victory showcased a surprisingly effective PSG even without their star player, Kylian Mbappé, who was surprisingly left on the bench by coach Luis Enrique.
This bold decision paid off immediately. Within six minutes, PSG surged to a commanding lead with the help of young academy product Bradley Barcola. Barcola’s direct play on the left flank was instrumental in both goals. First, he set up Marco Asensio for a cross that resulted in an own goal by Lyon’s Nemanja Matić. Then, he rose to flick on a corner from Asensio, allowing Lucas Beraldo to tap in from close range.
This early onslaught stunned Lyon, who had been the league’s hottest team with eight wins in their last ten games. Their hopes of continuing their impressive run evaporated quickly. While Lyon managed a consolation goal from Ernest Nuamah just before halftime, PSG’s firepower proved too much. Gonçalo Ramos, the Portuguese striker, bagged a brace before the break to seal the victory. His first goal was a clinical header, while his second came on a lightning counter-attack.
With a comfortable lead, PSG focused on managing the game in the second half. While Lyon pressed for an unlikely comeback, Gianluigi Donnarumma stood firm in goal to deny efforts from Rayan Cherki, Maxence Caqueret, and Gift Orban. Mbappé, meanwhile, remained on the bench for the entire match, marking his first non-appearance in over two months. This decision adds fuel to the speculation surrounding his potential summer transfer.
This dominant win puts PSG in a commanding position in the title race. They now hold an 11-point lead at the top of the table and are still chasing an unprecedented quadruple, potentially winning the league, Champions League, Coupe de France, and Trophee des Champions. Interestingly, these two sides will meet again in the Coupe de France final on May 25th. For Lyon, this match served as a wake-up call. They’ll need to address their defensive weaknesses quickly if they want to challenge for a European spot, which sits five points away with six matches remaining.
Man of the Match: Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings