instead of 13
Yesterday Mbappé gave Paris a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League just before the final whistle. PSG deciding games in the final phase also happens enormously often in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain players give everything until the last action of the game when the desired result has not yet been produced – in Ligue 1 as in the Champions League. Without the necessary luck to decide games shortly before the final whistle, Paris would still be top of the table at home – but twelve points less, ahead of the current second-placed Olympique Marseille. The latter have only picked up one point in the closing stages, in the 1-1 draw against Reims, but here the focus is on Paris.
PSG lead Ligue 1 by 13 points after 24 matchdays ahead of OM. If Paris’ games had theoretically been whistled off after 85 minutes, the lead would be twelve points less. This would mean a real title fight in Ligue 1 – as was the case for a long time last year between Lille, Paris, Monaco and Lyon.
Mbappé: “I’m always focused “
Who it’s against doesn’t seem to matter. Whether it’s against Real Madrid or in Ligue 1 against good sides like Lyon and -most recently- Rennes, Mbappé has now secured 1-0 victories in four days with a stoppage-time goal each time. The Frenchman said after his goal against Real about his and the team’s characteristic of liking to score late: “I’m always focused. That’s the price of all great attackers. That’s the advantage of being attackers. We can be decisive at any time.” Preferably late, though.
Of course, this upsets the competition. A few days ago, for example, Rennes coach Bruno Genesio commented after their late 1-0 defeat because of Mbappé: “We play 94 minutes at a high level, but then spoil everything. We were a bit unfocused. It’s maddening to lose because of a counterattack in the 95th minute.”
But even against rather weaker opponents, Paris often fails to decide the game early on, as in Metz and Lorient. But in the end, the three points usually end up in the capital.
Paris’ goals after the 85th minute
Matchday 6: 2:1 against Lyon, 90+3′ Icardi
Matchday 7: 2:1 at Metz, 90+5′ Hakimi
Matchday 10: 2-1 against Angers, 87′ Mbappé (penalty)
Matchday 12: 2-1 against Lille, 88′ Di Maria
Matchday 17: 1:1 at Lens, 90+2′ Wijnaldum
Matchday 19: 1:1 at Lorient, 90+1′ Icardi
Matchday 24: 1:0 against Rennes, 90+3′ Mbappé
CL last 16 first leg: 1:0 against Real Madrid, 90+4′ Mbappé
