PARIS (AP) — Champions Paris Saint-Germain maintained their lead in Ligue 1 with a point from a thrilling 3-3 draw with Strasbourg on Friday.
Liam Rosenior’s side were looking for their first league win in Paris in 34 games, but with six minutes to go they found themselves within a goal difference, with Bradley Barcola scoring a well-placed one-two with Desiree Douai.
Doue was returning from injury to face his older brother Guerra, and both players made key interventions in the end-to-end drama.
Guerra supplied a cross and Joaquín Panichelli equalized with a superb header, but a mistake by Desiree four minutes before the end of the first half gave Strasbourg the lead going into half-time.
His misplaced pass found Valentin Barco, who scooped it up to Diego Moreira, who slotted it past the startled goalkeeper to score his second goal.
A strong striker, Panichelli was always a handful and his physical presence led to Strasbourg’s third goal four minutes into the second period. He struggled with a PSG defender and the ball fell to Moreira, who crossed for the goal.
It was the Argentine forward’s seventh goal in the last eight games and his fourth in the last two games, following his double against Angers before the international break.
Although Strasbourg looked confident on the ball, the home team applied more and more pressure and once again the involvement of the Douai brothers was key.
The returning PSG winger was brought down in the box by keeper Mike Penders about an hour into the game, allowing Gonzalo Ramos to score a spot goal to make the lead one point.
PSG got a deserved third goal with nine minutes remaining. Seni Mayur’s shot was deflected by Penders, but the 19-year-old reacted smartly and headed the rebound.
PSG are now top of Ligue 1 with 17 points, one place ahead of Strasbourg.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
