PSG punish Lille errors to win cup showdown
18 March, 2021
Paris Saint-Germain cruised in to the quarter-finals of the French Glass on Wednesday while striking a psychological blow within their pursuit of the Ligue 1 name, because they beat top-of-the-table Lille 3-0.
It was an ideal response from PSG after their shock weekend residence damage to struggling Nantes, that was overshadowed by thefts at the homes of Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos through the match.
"We have possessed a difficult last couple of days, the players and their own families," said PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino.
"Nobody is prepared because of this kind of circumstances. The players did an excellent job to stay focused, their mind-set was amazing. Angel and Marquinhos sensed good to play."
In the to begin two meetings between the teams at the Parc des Princes also side of the international break, the difference was some mistakes by Lille at key occasions.
"It certainly is the same, against Paris it's in the zones of fact that it counts," said Lille midfielder Benjamin Andre.
When Di Maria swung a minimal cross into the near post immediately after nine mins, Lille defender Tiago Djalo took a wild swing. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan lunged at the deflected ball, only pawing it towards his unique goal. Mauro Icardi just needed to collect his wits before rolling into the empty net.
Icardi limped off on 36 minutes to come to be replaced by Kylian Mbappe, who had started on the bench.
Four minutes afterwards, Mbappe meandered along the advantage of the Lille penalty area until Zeki Celik took the bait, stuck out a knee and brought the striker down.
After outraged Lille protests, Mbappe smacked the spot-kick into the roof of the web.
"Our first half was timid, I think that we watched them take up a bit too much," said Lille coach Christophe Galtier, who made clear he idea the referee had also had a bad first half.
"They possess the control, the experience, they have the opportunity to put everyone to sleep, and when I say everyone, I mean everyone."
Lille had a probability when they won a good penalty of their own with 13 moments to take up, after Jeremy Pied's cross from the byline struck Layvin Kurzawa's outstretched hands.
Again Lille wavered simply because Keylor Navas dived to save lots of Yusuf Yazici's tame penalty.
"Keylor is one of the better goalkeepers in the world, his level is incredible," said Pochettino.
3 minutes into added time, Djalo, on the halfway brand, misjudged a PSG clearance. Mbappe pounced, raced from the Lille defender and drilled the 3rd past Maignan.
"We didn't take up a cup video game," stated Galtier. "In the cup, at the end you either qualify or you're out. The score may seem to be harsh, but we can not contend with Paris if we only play half."
PSG, the defending champions, trail Lille by 3 points in Ligue 1 and a return date is coming. After PSG go to third-place Lyon on Sunday while Lille web host struggling Nimes, the set meet once again at the Parc des Princes following the international break.
"On April 3, it'll be another procedure, another competition," stated Pochettino. "We've Lyon on Sunday and then in both weeks from then on, we'll have to recharge our batteries after these earliest 8 weeks of madness."
Source: www.daily-sun.com