PSG beat Strasbourg with difficulty, this Wednesday evening at the Parc (2-1). A success in pain which is explained by the expulsion of Neymar.
The return to domestic affairs has been complicated for PSG. While he received the penultimate in the standings, Strasbourg, the champion of France has long been held in check. The Ile-de-France residents were forced to a draw before a penalty from Kylian Mbappé allowed them to win on the wire (95th). A victory with forceps which is explained by the expulsion of Neymar in the middle of the second period.
It was not Neymar’s evening
The Brazilian found a way to get booked twice in the space of two minutes. First by intervening irregularly on an opponent. Then, by simulating a fault in the opposing area. The referee, Mr Turpin, did not hesitate to take out the rouge. The latter was not as forgiving as with the Racing players, who had multiplied the violent charges on the international auriverde.
“Ney” therefore left his partners outnumbered. He did not wait for the final whistle to leave the enclosure. Out of anger, he went straight home.
The result was already a goal everywhere when the former Barcelona player was shown the way to the locker room. Marquinhos, the Parisian captain, had scored on both sides. At the 14e minute, he opened the scoring by taking a free kick from Neymar. And at the 51ehe deceived his own goalkeeper by deflecting a strike from a Strasbourg player.
Neymar is expelled following a 2nd yellow card for simulation 🟥
The Parisians will have to play at 10 for 30 minutes
Do you understand the referee’s decision ❓🤔#PSGRCSA pic.twitter.com/iDfKoebNxg
– CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) December 28, 2022
Even with one less man, PSG continued to attack in the hope of snatching victory. The locals were not varnished in the game, like Kylian Mbappé. The French international, who absolutely wanted to play this match, harvested at least three chances in front of the Alsatian goals (25e54e and 67e). The Bondynois still ended up hitting the mark with this converted penalty just before the gong.
Neymar deprived of the shock against Lens
Paris, which stretches its series of invincibility, can breathe a big sigh of relief. Galtier’s men could have lost, if for example Gianluigi Donnarumma had not made a big save on his line half an hour into the game in front of former Parisian Kevin Gameiro.
With this victory, the Parisians consolidate their place as leader of the championship. Next weekend, they will come to the duel against the Lensois dolphin with at least a five-point lead. But, it will be without Neymar, automatically suspended for this shock.