PLAYER RATINGS | Lorient 1-4 PSG: Title within reach for Les Parisiens

Ligue 1, Matchday 29, 24/04/2024

Paris Saint-Germain had done the hard work after defeating FC Lorient all that was left to do now was wait and see if they would be crowned Ligue 1 champions for the twelfth time. A draw or a defeat from AS Monaco, as they hosted Lille OSC, could decide matters later tonight. 

A victory tonight against FC Lorient had looked certain to even the most pessimistic Parisien. PSG were up against a team in the relegation zone who have not won a game in their last six matches. The writing appeared to be on the wall from the very first whistle, it was never truly a question of if the league leaders would win, rather it was when and by how many. 

Despite this, Lorient looked the more dynamic side for an early patch in the game as PSG fell into a hypnotic but sterile passing rhythm that barely looked to advance into the final third. The first few chances fell to the hosts as Imran Louza attacked down the right before cutting the ball back towards Ayman Kari. However, the PSG loanee’s shot was dragged wide, letting his parent club off the hook. 

It was when the game became more stretched that the visitors finally found pockets of space to attack and exploit, and the difference in quality soon became apparent. PSG won the ball on the halfway line in a scrappy bit of play that saw both sides scramble for control, Gonçalo Ramos was able to shift the ball forward towards the 17-year-old Senny Mayulu who could then release Ousmane Dembélé. 

The winger ghosted past a Lorient defence stuck still as they watched him drift towards the penalty spot before taking his placing his shot low and in the corner, to put PSG ahead on the night. Lorient barely had time to breathe before the visitors found the net