It was clear from the start that the newly formed Paris team would need time under new coach Luis Enrique. But the officials and fans must have expected more than what jumped out on Saturday evening at the start of the new Ligue 1 season.
Because against the club FC Lorient around coach Regis Le Bris, who ended up in midfield in the recent season, who mostly only curled up defensively and observed the pushing PSG pass express, in the end only a meager zero number should jump out.
Asensio is unlucky – Lorient is unlucky at the post
According to the data provider “Opta”, the capital city played 1002 (!) passes with a rate of 94 percent – top value in France’s first division since detailed data collection began in 2006/07. But that wasn’t enough to mark even one goal.
Asensio, who has been from Madrilene for many years, came closest to making it 1-0 with his dangerous shot (8th minute of the game), but was denied by former Leipzig goalkeeper Mvogo. Asensio tried again later (35′).
Substitute Fabian approached in the second half (76′), new signing Goncalo Ramos just missed his target (78′) – and Ugarte, who had come from Sporting Lisbon, fired from a distance (90’+5′). That was all – and with a little more luck in the end, a 0:1 would have been possible instead of the 0:0. Because Lorient’s captain Abergel, who stole the ball after a bad pass from former Munich player Lucas Hernandez, failed in the 42nd minute with a cheeky long-range shot on the outside of the post.
For PSG, which is in a turbulent situation not only because of the current realignment (stars like Mbappé, Neymar and Verratti were recently sorted out by coach Luis Enrique), Ligue 1 continues on Sunday next week. At 9 p.m., the ensemble von der Sein will make a guest appearance at FC Toulouse. A day later, Lorient is back in action: at 3 p.m., the West French host OGC Nice.
