The referee blows his whistle for the final time tonight after two added minutes at the end of the 90.
89'
Neymar runs into the penalty area with the ball at his foot and successfully chips Tatarusanu who went down to make the save early – but a last second defensive effort by Awaziem clears the ball on the goal-line. So close for the Brazilian who has not found the back of the net today.
88'
Paris seem content with their four goals and are passing the ball calmly in the midfield, running down the time until their victory is confirmed. It has been a relatively impressive day for the home-side, whose four goals were certainly aided by unforced mistakes in the Nantes defence. Regardless of that, Cavani and Di Maria looked sharp and a midfield without Motta or Draxler seemed to perform seamlessly.
86'
C. Nkunku enters the game and replaces A. Rabiot.
Adrien Rabiot’s day is done as Christopher Nkunku replaces him in PSG’s third and final substitution.
83'
Stat: Despite PSG’s rapid ascent into French football’s elite, their 6 Ligue 1 titles is still less than Nantes’ 8 winners medals.
80'
J. Draxler enters the game and replaces J. Pastore.
G. Lo Celso enters the game and replaces M. Verratti.
Right after going up by three goals, Unai Emery makes his first change of the game, removing the carded Verratti in favour of Giovani Lo Celso.
Emery's second substitution sees goal-scorer Javier Pastore taken off and replaced by promising young German Julian Draxler.
79'
E. Cavani has scored a goal for PSG!
IT’S ANOTHER GOAL FOR CAVANI! 4-1 PSG! Yet another comical goal puts the away side further in deficit. Cavani slips the ball through for Verratti but a Nantes defender hits a clearing shot which ricochets off of Pallois in the Nantes penalty area. With Tatarusanu completely out of position, the deflected clearance falls right to the feet of Cavani who passes the ball past the Romanian goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Another poor goal to concede but PSG have done well tonight taking their chances.
77'
Sala wins a free-kick after going down under a challenge by Dani Alves. The set-piece is in a great position near the left corner flag. Areola does well to assert his dominance in the box and claims the ball while it is still high in the air and the chance goes begging for Nantes.
74'
M. Verratti gets yellow.
The oft-carded Marco Verratti receives a yellow card tonight for a foul in midfield after a dangerous slide tackle.
73'
Di Maria hits the side netting! Neymar’s pass for Cavani is mishit by Pallois and the Uruguayan striker reclaimed possession in the area and dragged Tatarusanu out of his goal at the same time. Cavani opts to pass to Di Maria instead of hitting it at the open goal but Di Maria could only muster a weak shot which went wide of the goal. Certainly a let-off for Nantes whose defensive shape is now unbalanced as a result of the need to send men forward to attack.
Minute
Description
72'
Nantes are looking quite desperate, pushing forward at pace anytime they win possession back from PSG. The score line has dictated that the away side must change their counter-attacking philosophy and go on the front-foot, which could leave even more space for the clinical PSG attackers.
70'
A. Thomasson enters the game and replaces K. Djidji.
Immediately after going two goals down for the second time tonight, Ranieri opts to make his third substitution. Koffi Djidji is replaced by Adrien Thomasson in another positive, attacking change.
68'
Stat: PSG have scored 2+ goals in every match since a 0-0 draw away at Montpellier in September.
65'
J. Pastore has scored a goal for PSG! Assist by M. Verratti.
K. Djidji gets yellow.
Marco Verratti is officially given the assist as his pass put Pastore into the box with room to shoot.
Djidji is also given a yellow card after a cynical foul just inside the Nantes half.
Neymar takes the free-kick and attempts to get it up and over the wall into the near-post but the defensive alignment does its job and the ball is headed away. Perhaps a cross into the centre of the box would have been a better option as Tatarusanu lined up his wall excellently.
PASTORE MAKES IT 3! Verratti sends a beautiful through-ball for the Argentine midfielder who takes a powerful shot immediately. Tatarusanu gets two hands to the strike and volleys it upwards, but the ball lands behind the Romanian goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Nantes have done so well to force themselves back into the game, but another mistake gifts PSG a third.
63'
C. Awaziem gets yellow.
Awaziem receives a yellow card after bringing down Berchiche just outside the area.
62'
Awaziem gives away a foul in a dangerous area after Berchiche was brought down just outside the box on the left-hand side.
60'
P. Nakoulma has scored a goal for Nantes! Assist by L. Dubois.
Captain Leo Dubois, who centred the ball for Nakoulma to tap home receives the assist.
IT’S PREJUCE NAKOULMA WHO SCORES WITH HIS FIRST TOUCH! What a substitution by Ranieri! Iloki sends a cross from the right-hand side to Dubois, who centres the ball for Nakoulma to tap in past Areola. Two of the three players involved in that build-up started the match on the bench and all credit goes to Ranieri for recognizing the need for change and acting upon it. 2-1 PSG!
59'
P. Nakoulma enters the game and replaces Andrei Girotto.
Andrei Girotto is the second player substituted out by Claudio Ranieri, with Prejuce Nakoulma taking his place.
57'
Mbappe is currently being put through his paces on the sideline and it looks like Emery will soon send the exciting young Frenchman into the fray.
55'
Nantes have looked energized in this second half, putting PSG under constant pressure and sprinting forward in attack. Though the home side have continued to dominate possession, the substitution by Ranieri has put renewed impetus in the side who look much more pacey with Iloki instead of Lima.
52'
Rongier marauds through the centre of the field and is left untouched until reaching the PSG penalty area. He then looks up and sends a pass for Dubois who is unmarked, but the referee quickly flags for offside and the chance is wasted.
50'
The free-kick is well outside the penalty area but Dani Alves insists on setting his sights at goal. The kick is dangerous but it curls away from the net and Tatarusanu retrieves the ball for a goal-kick.
48'
N. Pallois gets yellow.
Yuri gets yellow.
Neymar is taken down by Toure despite the Nantes defender seemingly winning the ball first. Tempers are now flaring as Berchiche gets into a shoving match with Pallois but the referee is well placed to deescalate the situation.
Berchiche is given a yellow card by the referee after confronting Pallois and pushing him.
Pallois also receives a yellow card for his involvement in the fracas.
46'
J. Iloki enters the game and replaces Lucas Lima.
Claudio Ranieri starts the second half with an attacking substitution, replacing Lucas Lima with Jules Iloki.
45'
It has gone from bad to worse for the away side who, ten minutes ago, looked destined to head into halftime level. The referee blows his whistle for the final time in the first half and the players leave the pitch with the Nantes side- especially their captain – looking incredibly disappointed.
The second half is underway in Paris with Nantes kicking us off!
42'
Á. Di María has scored a goal for PSG! Assist by Dani Alves.
A terrible mistake from Nantes makes it 2-0 to PSG! Di Maria receives a pass from Dani Alves after the Argentine’s corner was taken short. Di Maria then had the time to look up and send in a curling cross with his left foot that was left untouched by everybody in the box, including Tatarusanu who watched the ball dribble into the net at his far post. A bizarre goal to concede, especially considering that Nantes have been great defensively so far.
Dani Alves gets credited with the assist after playing the ball back to Di Maria.
41'
Stat: Nantes have failed to score a single goal from minute 30 to minute 45 this year.
38'
E. Cavani has scored a goal for PSG! Assist by J. Pastore.
Javier Pastore is given the assist as it was his pass who played Cavani through on goal.
Nantes’ resistance has been broken as Cavani puts PSG up 1-0! Cavani receives a pass from Pastore and the Uruguayan was left completely unmarked at the top of the penalty area. The former Palermo and Napoli striker took one touch to set himself and one to slot his strike past Tatarusanu who had no chance of saving the well-placed effort.
36'
Neymar is down on the pitch grabbing is ankle after a foul by Girotto. The referee blew his whistle immediately. The free-kick is taken by Di Maria but he misses Cavani who was his intended target and Nantes have successfully weathered another storm. It has been an impressive display of defending so far by Nantes who look thoroughly pleased with a point.
33'
Terrible effort by Di Maria who hits a cross-cum-shot over the bar. Rabiot wins back possession in front of the Nantes penalty area and sent a bouncing pass to the right for Di Maria who instead of settling the ball down hit it into the penalty area first-time. Tatarusanu was untroubled and Nantes have regained possession through a goal-kick.
30'
Neymar sends a cross into the box despite being marked by 4 yellow shirts but his pass is met well by Djidji and cleared away. Nantes have given PSG absolutely nothing and have done an excellent job of jockeying the ball; not being thrown off by the quick interchanges in passing or the body feints of Neymar and Di Maria.
27'
More attacking play from PSG as Verratti pulls the ball back for Berchiche but his first time shot from outside of the area is blocked by a Nantes defender and sent out for a corner. The ball falls to Thiago Silva who attempts two or three times to get a strike on it, eventually succeeding but putting his shot past the left-hand post.
24'
ALMOST 1-0 FOR NANTES! Possession was won in midfield by Girotto and then passed to Lima who put in a cross at the far-post for Dubois who side-footed his shot over Areola’s crossbar and out for a goal-kick. A wasted opportunity for sure, but Nantes have been doing a better job of creating chances and testing the PSG defence.
22'
Verratti is called for a foul as the referee deemed that the diminuitive Italian pulled the shirt of Girotto who was in possession for Nantes. The free-kick is just inside the PSG half and Dubois’ take is not an effective one as it goes straight into the arms of an unchallenged Areola.
19'
Neymar inventively sends a through-ball for Rabiot at the top of the Nantes penalty area but his centring pass for a forward is met only by Diego Carlos whose sliding clearance saves Ranieri’s side from immediate danger.
17'
Dubois’ corner is met well by the head of Emiliano Sala but he sends the ball looping over Areola’s net and out for a goal-kick.
16'
Awaziem wins a corner-kick after showing too much of the ball to Thiago Silva who pokes possession away from the foot of the Nantes full-back.
15'
Nantes have been limited to counter-attacking when the PSG forward surges break down. While Ranieri’s side look organized and solid in front of their own goal – Emiliano Sala and the attacking players look extremely isolated and without option.
13'
Stat: PSG have played Nantes 40 times conceding only 22 goals – and losing on only 6 occasions.
10'
Claims for a handball on Berchiche are waived away by the referee immediately and the ball is put out for a Nantes throw-in after the corner kick was cleared without any trouble by PSG.
8'
Dubois puts in a cross but there was no yellow shirt in the box to meet it. Thiago Silva tracks the ball instead and heads the ball away for a Nantes corner.
5'
Nantes win the ball from Verratti in midfield but Rongier loses possession immediately. A counter-attack was on for Neymar but a good defensive intervention by Diego Carlos puts the ball out for a goal-kick.
3'
Pallois clears the danger as Verratti sends a through-ball for Cavani. Paris are dominating possession early on but do not seem in a hurry to attack as most of their control has come with the ball in their own defensive third.
1'
PSG get us underway attacking from left to right!
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of PSG v Nantes from the Parc des Princes in Paris!
Unai Emery’s side really hit their stride prior to the international break, winning three consecutive matches without conceding a goal and outscoring their opponents 13-0. Currently first in Ligue 1 by three points having played a match less, Paris are undefeated in their last 15 league matches – having last experienced defeat away to Nice on April 30th.
PSG are not only France’s top scoring side – averaging over 3 goals per match – they are also co-owners of the best defensive record in the league. Their 8 goals allowed in 12 games are matched only by 8th place Montpellier. The visitors are also well versed in the defensive arts, having allowed only 9 past starting keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu who has been a revelation for Les Canaris.
Nantes were also flying high before World Cup qualifiers. Seven wins in their last 10 matches have propelled the club to the dizzying heights of fifth place – despite the club averaging less than a goal scored per match. Claudio Ranieri has turned Nantes into a resolute side defensively, and with three wins and two clean sheets in six away matches, PSG will not have it all their own way.
As mentioned, scoring goals has not been an easy feat for the away side. Their largest margine of victory this year is only one goal, and Nantes’ top goal-scorer this year – Emiliano Sala – has scored less goals this season (3), than Edinson Cavani has in his last two Ligue 1 matches. If Nantes is to upset the odds and come away from the Parc des Princes with anything, they will have to be organized and efficient on the counter-attack.
PSG starting XI (4-3-3): Alphonse Areola; Yuri Berchiche, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Dani Alves; Javier Pastore, Adrien Rabiot, Marco Verratti; Neymar Jr, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria.
With fifteen minutes to go before kick-off, the team news has been confirmed! Let's begin with the home side.
PSG substitutes: Kevin Trapp, Layvin Kurzawa, Giovani Lo Celso, Lucas, Christopher Nkunku, Julian Draxler, Kylian Mbappe.
Nantes substitutes: Maxime Dupe, Jules Iloki, Adrien Thomasson, Yacine Bammou, Samuel Moutoussamy, Prejuce Nakoulma, Enock Kwateng.
Nantes starting XI (4-5-1): Ciprian Tatarusanu, Koffi Djidji, Nicolas Pallois, Diego Carlos, Chidozie Awaziem; Lucas Lima, Andrei Girotto, Abdoulaye Toure, Valentin Rongier, Leo Dubois; Emiliano Sala.
Nantes’ last outing was a 2-1 victory at home to Toulouse. Despite taking all three points, Ranieri has made a host of changes. Tatarusanu starts in goal and will be protected by the same two centre-backs in Pallous and Carlos. Dubois is replaced today in defense by Koffi Djidji and Lucas Lima will play in midfield, with Awaziem taking over his place at full-back. Thomasson at left-winger will not start, with Ranieri opting for Lima further forward. Toure retains his place but Rene Krhin who is currently out injured will make way for Andrei Girotto. Nakoulma in central midfield and Iloki at right-winger will be changed for Valentin Ronier and Leo Dubois. Emiliano Sala retains his place as central striker, as he leads Nantes in goals this year with 3.
Unai Emery is without Presnel Kimpembe, Thomas Meunier and Thiago Motta as they welcome Nantes to the Parc des Princes. As a result, Emery has decided to make four changes to the side he last put out in Ligue 1 which earned a 5-0 win against Angers. Areola keeps his place in goal and the right-side partnership of Dani Alves and Thiago Silva also remain, however Kimpembe and Kurzawa make way for Marquinhos and Yuri Berchiche. In midfield, Julian Draxler is replaced by Javier Pastore who drops back into the middle of the park from an attacking position. He will control the centre alongside Rabiot and Marco Verratti. In attack, Mbappe will begin on the bench as Neymar starts along with Cavani and Di Maria.
HALF-TIME: PSG 2 - 0 Nantes
For PSG, aside from a rare Nantes counter-attack, they looked very comfortable. The attacking trident of Neymar, Cavani and Di Maria constantly put Tatarusanu and the back-four under pressure and Verratti and Rabiot in midfield acted as a shield, constantly snuffing out danger before it could manifest. The first goal was borne out of a turnover at midfield in which Rabiot won back possession and sprayed it forward, and Emery should be very pleased despite not having Draxler start or Motta available.
It took some time for PSG to figure out how to break down this highly organized Nantes side, but constant waves of attack proved too much to repel for Ranieri’s side. The visitors began the game incredibly resolute at the back but looked completely disjointed on offence, with Sala being increasingly isolated. As Les Canaris began to exude more confidence going forward, their solidity began to waver and they conceded two goals in quick succession.
Nantes will need to break out of their defensive shell if they want to force their way back into the tie, but the statistics do not look good for them. They have only managed to score two goals in a match three times in their last 10, with all three of those games ending 2-1 for Nantes. Ranieri will have to use his substitutions efficiently and relatively quickly if he wants to spark a change and give his side the confidence they need to score more than once at the home of France’s defensive leaders.
FULL-TIME: PSG 4 - 1 Nantes
PSG’s fine form continued in this match as their league-leading attack proved too much to handle for Nantes, who started the game very well. Despite pulling a goal back through substitute Nakoulma, a host of defensive and goalkeeping errors allowed PSG to pile on the misery. Failed clearances, weak goalkeeping and large gaps in the defence propelled Paris to their four goals, their lowest tally since October 27th.
Thank you for following along and we hope you enjoyed our live text commentary of PSG v. Nantes. See you all next time!
PSG’s next match is a midweek Champions League tie against Celtic on Tuesday at home, before a big top of the table clash next weekend in Monaco against the incumbent Ligue 1 winners. Nantes also have an incredibly important match coming up, as they will face Rennes away next Saturday in the hotly contested Derby de la Bretagne.
Claudio Ranieri will be of a mixed mind. While he should be impressed with his side’s start and the way they responded at the beginning of the second half, he should also question the solidity of his back-four and goalkeeper who gave away some very cheap goals to a PSG side who don’t need it to be made easy. All-in-all this was a free hit for Nantes who certainly were not expected to garner any points at the home of the league leaders. Ranieri can take the season so far as a positive, as Nantes have done exceptionally well to force their way into fifth place.
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