Paris Saint-Germain celebrated a glamorous win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, but returned with their feet on the ground following a humiliating display in the Ligue 1 match against Nantes.
PSG was 3-0 down at half-time, despite starting Messi, Mbappe and Neymar upfront. Nantes scored three goals, but keeper Alban Lafont was the man of the night. Lafont’s impeccable display earned him a 10 rating in French sports paper L’Equipe. He is the 13th player (and only the third goalkeeper) to ever receive such an honor from the prestigious French sports paper.
Nantes keeper Alban Lafont becomes the 13th player (3rd keeper and 1st since the 90s) to get a 10 rating in L’Equipe. Historic performance in 3-1 win over PSG pic.twitter.com/MIwE45IzAV
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) February 20, 2022
PSG’s hero in the Real Madrid clash, Kylian Mbappe, was almost invisible vs Nantes and earned himself a rating of 3, with Messi getting 4 and Neymar 5. Neymar was PSG’s only scorer of the night, but he also missed a penalty in the 59th minute, just days after Messi did the same in front of Courtois and Real Madrid.
Messi played his 800th match at club level and marked the moment with an assist, but there was no room for celebration at Stade de la Beaujoire.
All eyes on the Champions League
PSG lost only their second game this season, as they still lead the race in Ligue 1 comfortably.
The Paris giants keep a 13-point advantage over arch-rivals Marseille after 25 rounds, with OM having a game in hand.
PSG’s main focus for the second part of the campaign goes to the Champions League. They are 90 minutes away from eliminating Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
PSG will go to Madrid on 9 March to finish the job they started with a 1-0 win at Parc des Princes this week. Paris is at +350 to reach the Champions League final and sits at +700 to triumph in the competition. Only Manchester City at +240, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, both at +350, are better placed in the odds race.
