Bradley Barcola confirmed new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia he won’t simply hand over his place within the Paris Saint-Germain line-up as his late strike gave the Ligue 1 leaders a 2-1 win at Lens on Saturday.
It seemed like PSG had been going to drop factors of their final home outing earlier than subsequent Wednesday’s crunch Champions League conflict with Manchester Metropolis as they fell behind within the first half to Mbala Nzola’s objective for Lens.
Nevertheless, Barcola arrange Fabian Ruiz to equalise for PSG simply earlier than the hour mark, and the France winger then lashed in a effective profitable objective with 4 minutes left.
Luis Enrique’s aspect stay unbeaten domestically this season and at the moment are 10 factors clear on the high of Ligue 1 from Marseille, who host Strasbourg on Sunday.
PSG, who had been with out Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and the sick Ousmane Dembele in Lens, now face Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis in a vital European encounter.
The French champions sit one level and one place exterior the qualifying locations for the knockout part and so can sick afford to lose to Metropolis on the Parc des Princes.
“We’re actually happy to proceed our constructive dynamic earlier than going into a contest which is essential to us,” mentioned coach Luis Enrique.
Kvaratskhelia, introduced in to contest a spot on the left wing with Barcola, was not concerned in Lens, having solely accomplished his reported 70 million-euro ($72m) switch to PSG from Napoli late on Friday.
The Georgian can also be not eligible to play towards Metropolis or of their last league part match of the Champions League away to VfB Stuttgart on January 29.
– Kvaratskhelia awaits –
Nevertheless, Luis Enrique is worked up to see what Kvaratskhelia can add to the PSG staff within the second half of the season.
“He has every thing we wish from a brand new signing, expertise acquired as a younger participant, character, and a capability to attain objectives, take gamers on, and assist out defensively,” mentioned PSG’s coach of the 23-year-old.
“Our assault was excellent at the moment however he is a superb reinforcement.”
Barcola, Want Doue and Lee Kang-in all began within the Paris assault on the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, the place Lens went forward on 36 minutes.
The visiting defence did not take care of a Przemyslaw Frankowski nook and the ball fell to Nzola on the again publish, the place he managed earlier than prodding in.
Nzola had the ball within the web once more on 57 minutes however the offside flag had come up, and PSG then drew stage solely two minutes later.
Lens defender Malang Sarr dedicated himself contained in the field however did not get the ball, permitting Barcola to grab possession and lower it again for Spain midfielder Ruiz to fireside in.
Barcola, 22, then hit a superb late winner as he got here in off the left and managed a Joao Neves cross earlier than smashing a shot excessive into the web.
That was his eleventh objective of the season in Ligue 1, permitting him to hitch Lille’s Jonathan David and Marseille’s Mason Greenwood on the high of the scorers charts.
In the meantime, Brest warmed up for his or her return to Champions League motion by profitable 2-1 away to struggling Brittany rivals Rennes.
Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque acquired the objectives for Brest at Roazhon Park, with Ludovic Blas pulling one again for the house aspect.
It was a sixth win in seven video games for Brest, who play Shakhtar Donetsk in Germany on Wednesday understanding a victory there may see them clinch a spot within the final 16 of the Champions League.
Even a defeat in that sport is unlikely to forestall them from reaching the knockout part, with a gala last league part sport to return towards Actual Madrid on the finish of the month.
Lyon had been held to a 0-0 draw by Toulouse, that means they keep fifth however have now received simply one in all their final 4 league outings.
They had been additionally knocked out of the French Cup in midweek on penalties by Bourgoin-Jallieu of the fifth tier.
as/nr
