Kylian Mbappe turned in a horrific display as Paris Saint-Germain slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat against Nantes on Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain squandered their opportunity to regain their place at the top of the Ligue 1 table, following a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nantes. The home defeat sees them fail to take full advantage of LOSC Lille’s draw with AS Monaco, further losing a point instead.
PSG made a scintillating start to the game, clearly distinguishing themselves as the better side with a first half onslaught. Indeed, the relentless attacking effort from the home side made life infinitely difficult for the Nantes defenders, who were saved by a heroic display in goal by Alban Lafont. PSG, as a result, could only muster a 1-0 lead thanks to Julian Draxler’s effort just before half-time.
The game turned on its head in the second half, though, as Nantes pushed men forward in search of the equaliser. While it initially started slow, the Canaries did start to rattle the PSG backline, even levelling the scoreline around the hour-mark.
The hosts, in response, failed to replicate their first-half superiority and barely troubled Lafont. It caused a state of panic among the PSG camp, with Mauricio Pochettino notably opting for a couple of defensive subs. But, it was not enough as Nantes found their deserved winner. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Keylor Navas: 6/10
Keylor Navas made a crucial first-half save to deny Ludovic Blas but was let down by his defence on both instances where he conceded the goals in the second half. Did not have too much to do otherwise, although the PSG goalkeeper had to remain cautious throughout the game due to Nantes’ attacking endeavours.
Colin Dagba: 6.5/10
Colin Dagba had a comfortable game out on the right-hand side. He camped himself in the opposition half during the initial stages of the game, whilst looking comfortable in possession with a completion rate of 98%. However, his attacking output was missing in the second half as Nantes upped the gears.
Marquinhos: 5.5/10
Marquinhos was among the players who were rattled by Nantes’ second-half pressure. In fact, the skipper was somewhat culpable for the second goal as he misjudged the flight of Lafont’s long ball into the heart of the backline. He was also no match for Moses Simon’s pace, as the winger eventually netted the winner in the 71st minute.
Moses Simon was the match hero as his goal handed crucial three points to Nantes FC at Paris Saint Germain on Sunday night. They are still in the relegation zone but the win is a morale boosting.
Video Credit: BT Sport and French Football Federation. pic.twitter.com/bBdYNqGCqS
— Olatunde Liadi (@OlatundeLiadi) March 14, 2021
Presnel Kimpembe: 7/10
Presnel Kimpembe had a much better evening than his defensive partner in Marquinhos. The centre-back was solid in possession, playing a vital role in PSG’s build-up from the back. However, he was subbed off during the final phase of the game, in favour of Thilo Kehrer.
Abdou Diallo: 6/10
Abdou Diallo started at left-back ahead of Mitchell Bakker and Layvin Kurzawa. It turned out to be a poor decision from Pochettino, as the former Dortmund man struggled to offer any protection at the back. The Frenchman did not make an impact on the attacking side of things either, in what was a disappointing performance overall.
Danilo Pereira: 6.5/10
Danilo Pereira returned to the side in central midfield as Pochettino opted for more defensive solidity in the double pivot. He offered the physicality in the middle of the park while also doing well to distribute possession. Not a particularly bad game for the midfielder, but nothing spectacular either.
Your weekly reminder that PSG are obliged to buy Danilo Pereira (29) for €16m in summer.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 14, 2021
Marco Verratti: 6.5/10
Pochettino took a huge risk by starting Marco Verratti considering his recent fitness record. While the midfielder did not have any problems with regards to his fitness, but there was certainly a lack of consistency and creativity in his game. Indeed, the Italian enjoyed a lot of possession with very little to show for.
Angel Di Maria: 7/10
Angel Di Maria was crucial in the build-up to Draxler’s first-half opener. He was also a menace for the Nantes defenders with his creativity, movement and link-up play with his teammates. The Argentine’s influence, though, waned in the second half and he was eventually subbed off around the hour mark.
Rafinha: 5/10
Rafinha, too, was a crucial outlet as far as PSG’s creative unit is concerned. Unlike his teammates, though, the Spaniard failed to offer that penetration in the early stages of the game. His influence took a massive dip after the restart as well, prompting Pochettino to take him off around the 56th minute mark.
Julian Draxler: 6.5/10
Julian Draxler was at the right place at the right time to net the opener for PSG. Unfortunately, that was the only real contribution from the former Wolfsburg attacker, who lacked the consistency in the final third. Was not even involved much in the game after the restart, eventually making way for Pablo Sarabia during the final phase of the game.
Kylian Mbappe: 6/10
It was a horrific night for Kylian Mbappe who was left frustrated by Lafont’s inspiring form in between the sticks, although not many of his attempts on goal actually found the target. To add to it, the young Frenchman produced the horror pass that led to Nantes’ equaliser – effectively paving the way for the Canaries to make an extraordinary comeback.
? A hospital pass by Kylian Mbappe opens the door for RANDAL KOLO MUANI to pull Nantes level. #PSGFCN pic.twitter.com/N2ra2CNPZ7
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 14, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Mauro Icardi: 6/10
Mauro Icardi was introduced in the 56th minute at the expense of Rafinha. He swapped Mbappe as the number nine but was bereft of attacking service.
Leandro Paredes: 6/10
Leandro Paredes replaced Di Maria around the hour-mark to offer more protection in midfield as Nantes pushed forward in search of a winner. Could not have done anything for the second goal though.
Pablo Sarabia: 6/10
A late replacement for Draxler. Not the impactful performance he would have hoped.
Thilo Kehrer: 6/10
A late replacement for Kimpembe. Got caught out by Lafont’s long ball.
