Paris Saint-Germain – LOSC Lille: Messi And Mbappé Magic Makes The Difference (4-3)

The reuniting of Neymar, Messi and Mbappé had spectacular consequences in a thrilling Ligue 1 game. It was a story of individual brilliance versus collective quality, with the former taking the spoils courtesy of a stoppage-time winning free-kick. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Smoothy.

On paper, this Ligue 1 matchup was a meeting of first versus fifth. Thirteen points separated the two sides and in the reverse fixture back in August, PSG won by a six-goal margin. In addition to that, Lille had won just one of their previous 23 matches away at the Parc des Princes.

However, football is not played on paper and historic results are simply that, history. And with PSG on a three-game losing streak, albeit across three separate competitions, and with an array of squad issues ranging from injuries to niggles and poker to fast food, Paulo Fonseca’s side will likely have traveled to Paris in an optimistic mood.

Whilst Christophe Galtier was again forced into making changes due to injury, with both Achraf Hakimi and captain Marquinhos missing out, he was able to name Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar in the same side for the first time this month. Supporting the star-studded trio were Timothée Pembélé, Sergio Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes in defense, and Vitinha, Marco Verratti and Fabián Ruiz in midfield.

Lille made one change to the side which beat Strasbourg in the previous gameweek. André Gomes replaced Edon Zhegrova and partnered Benjamin André in central midfield. As for the rest of the team, Bafodé Diakité, José Fonte, Tiago Djaló and Timothy Weah made up the backline. In . . .