The Parisian team, which could not count on the suspended Kylian Mbappehowever, remains comfortably installed at the top of Ligue 1 with 13 points more than his rival this Saturday.
for the team of Mauricio Pochettino it was their third loss this season in the domestic championship. But if the loss hardly makes any difference at qualifying level, the Parisians leave the southern French city and head into the decider in Madrid with some questions.
“There is no need to worry, we are leaders,” said Captain Marquinhos into the Canal Plus microphone. “We shouldn’t get used to losing away from home. We have to prepare ourselves mentally for that game (in Madrid).”
PSG have not managed to beat Nice this season, after 0-0 in the first leg, and the new goalless draw in the Coupe de France, with elimination on penalties (6-5) in the round of 16.
Christophe Galtier’s Nice had just qualified this week for the French Cup final by defeating another club from the Paris region, Versailles (2-0).
With his eyes on the Champions League match, Pochettino rested Presnel Kimpembe and his starting full-backs. If Achraf Hakimi, with minor discomfort, stayed in the French capital, Nuno Mendes saw the start of the duel from the bench.
But without Mbappé there was no party. The match was not brilliant at the Allianz Arena in Nice, until the last minutes with Delort’s goal.
Angel Di Maria and Neymartwo players called to fight for a place in the starting eleven next Wednesday, performed below expectations and what they should do at the Bernabéu, although Leo Messi He showed off with several feints and successful passes that encourage Parisian optimism before visiting the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium where the Argentine star knows what it means to shine with FC Barcelona.
Another positive note was the fact that ‘Ney’ played 90 minutes for the first time since returning from injury.
In the second half, PSG’s best chance, almost the only one, came from a deflected shot by the Argentine Mauro Icardi in the 82nd minute. Nice had gathered more merits, with a header from the Brazilian Dante (48), a shot diverted from Amine Gouiri (68) and another from Justin Kluivert (84).
“We thought it would end in a draw because neither one of them had done enough to win. We had control of the game, especially in the second half, but we conceded a goal in transition and lost,” Pochettino analyzed.
“We are preparing for a competition that everyone expects in Paris and that everyone dreams of,” he added. Although on Wednesday there will be Mbappé.
In the other match played this Saturday in Ligue 1, Brest (12th) won 1-0 at Lens. With 40 points, Lens (7th) was overtaken by Lyon, who beat Lorient 4-1 on Friday.
Source: Ambito
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