Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum scored a late equaliser as PSG came out with a point against RC Lens.
Paris Saint-Germain’s poor run of form continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by RC Lens on Saturday. The draw will allow Rennes to close the gap at the top to 11 points while OGC Nice can also close into the top three.
As the result suggests, it was an underwhelming performance from PSG, who were dominated by Lens for the most part of the game. The home side created the bulk of the scoring opportunities, even terrorising the likes of Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe throughout the game. But their lack of end product meant the game ended goalless at half-time.
The second half was a bit more entertaining, although it was PSG that shifted the gear and started creating some opportunities. However, it was Seko Fofana who opened the scoring after a controversial decision from VAR that saw Lionel Messi being denied a foul during the build-up.
The goal forced PSG to chase the gap during the final thirty minutes. Although Lens continued to create golden opportunities, they failed to take full advantage, which turned out to be costly in the end, with Georginio Wijnaldum netting a last-minute equaliser to seal a point for the visitors. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will rate the PSG players in their disappointing draw with Lens this weekend.
Keylor Navas: 5/10
Starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Keylor Navas was solid in between the sticks for the majority of the first half, as he made multiple saves. However, he looked shaky as the game progressed, making a massive fumble when trying to save Fofana’s effort from range that eventually rolled into the back of the net. Not a good look for the former Real Madrid ‘keeper.
That won't be going in Keylor Navas' highlight reel… ? pic.twitter.com/y4G6PxxVtb
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 4, 2021
Achraf Hakimi: 6.5/10
Achraf Hakimi was put to the test defensively by Lens duo Przemyslaw Frankowski and David Da Costa. While he did have difficulties defending the pressure, he managed to keep up with the two. Offensively, he may have offered more quality to the table, but it was not exactly a bad performance from the marauding right-back.
Marquinhos: 6/10
It was one of those rare occasions where Marquinhos looked rattled. The defender was simply unable to withstand the pressure at times, but he did get better as the game progressed, preventing the opposition from doubling their lead.
Presnel Kimpembe: 5.5/10
Presnel Kimpembe looked even more rattled due to the pressure exerted by the Lens attackers, especially in the first half. But he did put in a good defensive shift after the restart, notably making a goal-saving block late in the game.
Juan Bernat: 5/10
Juan Bernat was the weak link in the PSG backline. Struggling with form and fitness, the former Bayern left-back looked uncomfortable dealing with the threat of Jonathan Clauss and Gael Kakuta. He was taken off late in the proceedings.
Leandro Paredes: 5.5/10
Leandro Paredes put in a good shift in midfield in regards to his defensive work and tackling. But the Argentine looked clueless in possession, failing to offer enough creativity to the table and struggling to deal with the Lens press.
Bernat trying to do what Messi did with Alba pic.twitter.com/qZ32HpZONc
— k (@barcaplswin) December 4, 2021
Danilo Pereira: 5/10
Danilo Pereira was arguably the worst-performing midfielder for PSG in this game. After a somewhat decent outing against Nice, the Portuguese international could not deal with the intense pressure of Lens and looked slow to deal with the opposition for the most part.
Marco Verratti: 6.5/10
Marco Verratti was the only bright spark in an otherwise dire performance from the PSG midfield. Although he did not provide much defensively, his ability in tight situations helped him evade the Lens press, at times. His combination play was promising as well, though the Italian certainly needs to up his game.
Lionel Messi: 7/10
Lionel Messi was by far the pick of the PSG players with his passing, chance creation and the sheer ability to effortlessly dribble past opposition defenders. But he was not afforded too much freedom by the Lens defender and was perhaps unlucky not to be given a foul by the referee just before the opener.
Lionel Messi and PSG are not seeing through the Lens.
— DON (@Opresii) December 4, 2021
Mauro Icardi: 3/10
Mauro Icardi was simply horrendous in the final third. Spearheading the line in the absence of the injured Neymar, the Argentine looked clueless and did not offer much to the table. He also looked wasteful in front of goal, notably missing a great opportunity created by Messi in the first half, even though the goal would have been ruled out due to offside.
Angel Di Maria: 5/10
Angel Di Maria was another PSG attacker that struggled to make things happen in the final third. The winger simply did not look comfortable starting on the left flank, leading to another underwhelming performance.
SUBSTITUTES
Kylian Mbappe: 7/10
Kylian Mbappe certainly changed the game’s complexion after coming on as a late substitute for Icardi. The Frenchman made things happen in the final third, causing problems with his runs behind the defence. Most importantly, he produced a wonderful cross to set up Wijnaldum for the equaliser.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6.5/10
Wijnaldum netted the all-important late equaliser to help PSG seal one point. The Dutchman will be hoping that the goal will help him earn a start in the midweek game against Club Brugge.
FT | Georginio Wijnaldum arrache un point pour le PSG dans le temps additionnel. ? #RCLPSG pic.twitter.com/L3pGuLGa8V
— Eleven Sports (FR) (@ElevenSportsBEf) December 4, 2021
Idrissa Gueye: 6/10
Idrissa Gueye added more energy and dynamism in the PSG midfield in the final twenty minutes.
Nuno Mendes: N/A
A late replacement for Bernat. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
