Despite the drought in the final score, Paris SG did not have a quiet Saturday afternoon on the pitch of a valiant Reims team, which often called on the last bastion of the capital club, Gianluigi Donnarumma. But in the end, the Parisian team was able to count on its star striker, Kylian Mbappé, to make the difference. Author of a hat-trick (3rd, 59th and 82nd), the striker of the French team showed clinical realism to allow PSG to win (0-3), and at the same time take the lead in the standings ahead of Nice, held in check Friday evening by Montpellier (0-0).
In football, a great goalkeeper and a great scorer very often make the difference. PSG proved it at the Auguste Delaune stadium. This clash between the 4th and 2nd in Ligue 1 at kick-off kept all its promises from the start. Barely time to understand the Parisian system in 3-4-3, with Carlos Soler in the right lane and Lee Kang-in very fitting on the left, that the inevitable Kylian Mbappé came out of his box. Served at the far post by Ousmane Dembélé, the top scorer in the elite opened the scoring with a magnificent volley from the inside of the foot (0-1, 2nd). What to curb the enthusiasm of Reims? No, quite the contrary. With its all-terrain pressing and a very high block, Stade de Reims then stifled PSG, under the leadership of the tireless Junya Ito. The Japanese thought he would equalize but his passer Mohamed Daramy was offside (8th). Will Still’s men continued to push while Paris quickly projected themselves ahead to find Mbappé, closely watched by Emmanuel Agbadou.
The Red and Whites multiplied the runs and crosses but came up against a vigilant Marquinhos and a Gianluigi Donnarumma of very big evenings on his line. The Italian goalkeeper made three saves before the break, including one at close range in front of Amir Richardson, to save the Parisian house (22nd, 40th, 44th). And on his only mistake of the first period, a dangerous throw towards Fabian Ruiz, Azor Matuisiwa did not put his shot on target (30th). Reims could blame themselves as their pressure and game plan hampered the French champion, who gave in without ever breaking.
Sensing the danger, Luis Enrique rebalanced his eleven at half-time. Vitinha replaced the discreet Gonçalo Ramos to contain the locals’ attacks. The last rampart Donnarumma repelled a header from Agbadou (56th) before the break goal signed by Mbappé, served on a plate by Carlos Soler (0-2, 59th). PSG was breathing better but remained at the mercy of Reims’ speed. His Italian goalkeeper then continued his festival, disgusting Marshall Munetsi twice (71st, 77th). The former Milanese was impassable this evening while his partner Mbappé shone just as much in his register. The Parisian number 7 created suspense in the last ten minutes by scoring a hat-trick (0-3, 82nd), the first of his season, bringing his total to 13 goals in 11 days. Never satisfied, the native of Bondy could even have increased his score but Joseph Okumu (84th) then the crossbar (86th) opposed it.
Out of breath, Reims avoided a more severe correction which would have been difficult given the face displayed for 90 minutes. Authors of a successful match collectively, the Champenois simply came across two UFOs, at both ends of the field. Paris turned its back before disgusting its opponent. A victory which allows the capital club to spend the international break warm, at the top of Ligue 1. Defeated with arms in hand, Reims remains 4th but could slip to 5th if Lille wins against Toulouse, this Sunday.