PARIS (AP) — Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain defeated Paris FC 2-1 on Sunday in the French men’s soccer league’s first capital derby, keeping it one point behind surprise Ligue 1 leaders Reims. since 1990.
Star forwards Desiree Douet and Ousmane Dembele scored for PSG.
Unstable Marseille lost 2-0 at home to Nantes on Sunday and are currently eight points behind third-placed Reims.
The Paris derby was held at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, which is just 44 meters away from the Stade Jean Bouin, where PFC will be playing their home games this season.
PSG squandered some good scoring opportunities with overly complex passing, and just before half-time Doue hooked onto a pass and clipped the ball over goalkeeper Kevin Trapp’s right shoulder from near the penalty spot to score.
After Ilia Zabarny awarded a penalty, Willem Goebbels converted a penalty in the 51st minute to equalize. But two minutes later, PSG regained the lead when Dembele cut in from the right and his deflected shot beat the former PSG goalkeeper’s trap.
2 red cards and defeat
Marseille had two players sent off with a dismal performance, infuriating manager Roberto de Zerbi.
The Italian has worked to improve his team’s mentality and focus since taking charge last season, but once again lamented the same shortcomings.
“We need to look at ourselves. If we play a game like this, if we don’t show the desire to win more, we will get what we deserve, which is nothing more than third place,” he said. “Even though it was 11-on-11, we got off to a bad start, we didn’t have enough energy, we didn’t have what we needed to play.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been thrust into Marseille’s starting XI despite only recently playing for the Gabon national team. africa cup of nations.
Marseille fans observed a minute’s silence in memory of their former manager before the match at the Stade Velodrome. Jean-Louis GassetMr. Gassett passed away on December 26th at the age of 72. Gassett briefly took charge of Marseille in 2024.
After Nantes’ early goal was ruled out for offside following a video review, Marseille midfielder Arthur Vermaelen was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for a late tackle on goalkeeper Anthony Lopez.
Five minutes later, defender Fabien Chentonzet put Nantes ahead after goalkeeper Geronimo Lulli saved a shot from Matisse Ablin.
Marseille’s afternoon took a turn for the worse when midfielder Bilal Nadir was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 56th minute for fouling Dayvel Machado from behind near the halfway line.
New signing Remy Cabela scored a late penalty kick to seal the victory for 16th place Nantes.
Other matches
Substitute Noam Obougou scored the winning goal late on as Le Havre defeated Angers 2-1 and moved out of the relegation zone.
Le Havre took the lead with a goal from 19-year-old forward Kenny Ketan, before Louis Mouton equalized in the second half.
Last place Metz drew 1-1 with Lorient.
Metz took the lead in the first half with a goal from defender Sadibou Sane, and in the second half, Bamba Dieng scored with a diving header from Pablo Pagis’ cross, giving Lorient a point.
Impressive striker Ludovic Ajorque scored with a backheel from a cross as Brest beat Auxerre 2-0.
lens won in Toulouse 3-0 on Friday. ___
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