PSG returns to victory. Jostled at an uncontrolled start to the match and again in the second half, including at the end, Luis Enrique’s players won in Strasbourg (1-2) this Friday, during the first match of the 20th day of L1. The end of a series of eight matches without defeat in all competitions – including six in the league – for the Alsatians, 10th in the ranking. In all the good moves, apart from this missed penalty against young Alaa Bellaarouch at the start of the match, Kylian Mbappé is to be credited with a goal and an assist. A Parisian leader, who remained in a disappointing, even worrying, draw against Brest (2-2) on Sunday, at the Parc des Princes.
While Racing had an opportunity in the first minute, the Meinau stadium was quickly cooled by a penalty whistled against the locals. Kolo Muani, who had penetrated the Strasbourg defense, was tackled in the area by Lucas Perrin, offering a penalty to Kylian Mbappé. However, the French international’s shot was saved by Alaa Bellaarouch, who was making his Ligue 1 debut following Matz Sels’ departure to Nottingham.
Bellaarouch, the young 22-year-old Moroccan goalkeeper, was less successful in the second part of the first period. Coming out of his area, he was blocked by Asensio, who passed to Kylian Mbappé, redeeming himself from his missed penalty to score from outside the area into an empty goal, making the score 0-1.
In the second half, Racing, on the attack, suffered a lightning counterattack from the Parisians in the 49th minute, perfectly concluded by Marco Asensio after a pass from Kylian Mbappé. At the end of the match, Strasbourg reduced the gap thanks to a goal from Bakwa, but despite numerous offensives, the Alsatians failed to equalize, leaving the Parisians to win and leave with the three points. Strasbourg remains 10th in Ligue 1 but could be overtaken by Le Havre (which travels to Monaco) in the event of a victory for Ciel et Marine.