Paris Saint-Germain closed in on a Ligue 1 record as they beat 10-man Nice 2-1 despite Kylian Mbappe’s absence due to injury. The goals came from Bradley Barcola and Yoram Zague, with Mohamed-Ali Cho scoring for Nice. Melvin Bard was sent off in the 75th minute, impacting Nice’s chances of a comeback. PSG could make history by going unbeaten on the road for an entire season if they avoid defeat against Metz.
Nice had an early chance with Khephren Thuram hitting the post in the fifth minute, but PSG took the lead through Barcola in the 18th minute after a mistake by Jordan Lotomba. Zague added a second goal five minutes later, assisted by Barcola. Cho pulled one back for Nice in the 32nd minute, but despite chances for an equalizer through Jeremie Boga, Terem Moffi, and Gaetan Laborde, they were unable to level the score.
Barcola was instrumental for PSG, providing an assist for Zague’s goal and scoring the opener. His performance highlighted the need for a replacement for Mbappe, who is set to leave the club. Barcola has been a consistent performer for PSG, contributing seven assists and four goals in Ligue 1 this season. PSG will likely be looking to strengthen their squad in the transfer window to fill the gap left by Mbappe’s departure.
Player ratings for Nice included strong performances from Dante, Cho, and Boga, while PSG’s Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Zague received high ratings. Barcola was named the Player of the Match for his impressive display, showcasing his talent and potential as a key player for PSG. The match saw missed opportunities from both teams, with Tenas denying Boga and Marquinhos deflecting Moffi’s shot wide.
Key moments in the match included Thuram hitting the post early on, Barcola’s opening goal reminiscent of Mbappe, Zague’s finish on his birthday, Cho’s goal for Nice, Bard’s red card, and Barcola’s missed chance to seal the win. The game was a glimpse into PSG’s future without Mbappe, highlighting the importance of bringing in reinforcements. PSG’s dominance in Ligue 1 this season has been impressive, and they will look to maintain their unbeaten away record against Metz in their next match.
