Pochettino will get first win with PSG however Lyon keep prime of Ligue 1

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Mauricio Pochettino celebrated his first victory as Paris Saint-Germain coach on his house debut on Saturday as Moise Kean set the reigning champions on their solution to a 3-0 win over Brest, however Lyon stay prime of Ligue 1 after drawing at Rennes.

Substitutes Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia added late objectives for PSG who would have gone prime on objective distinction had Lyon not recovered from 2-0 all the way down to earn a degree in Rennes and prolong their unbeaten run to 16 video games.

PSG are second on the season’s midway stage, a degree behind the leaders and forward on objective distinction of third-placed Lille, who triumphed 1-0 at Nimes.

With Neymar nonetheless lacking, it was not a classic efficiency from PSG on a freezing Parisian night time in an empty stadium — supporters are nonetheless barred from video games in France with a nighttime curfew in place nationwide as a part of the struggle in opposition to coronavirus.

That meant it was by no means going to be the return to the Parc des Princes that Pochettino — who was a well-liked participant for PSG 20 years in the past — would have preferred.

However the Argentine shall be relieved to have his first win in cost after his first recreation led to a 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne in midweek.

“We have now nonetheless solely had a couple of days working collectively and we’ve had two very tough, very aggressive video games,” Pochettino stated.

“I’m actually glad with the hassle put in by the gamers. It was an improved efficiency and an vital victory.”

Of his first recreation again on the Parc des Princes, he added: “It was very emotional. This stadium has probably the greatest atmospheres in soccer and we missed having the followers right here, however I’ve had an outstanding welcome at this membership and on this magnificent metropolis since arriving.”

Pochettino might now get his first piece of silverware when PSG play Marseille on Wednesday within the Champions Trophy, the French equal of a Tremendous Cup that in regular instances is the curtain-raiser to the season.

It stays to be seen if Neymar, after 4 weeks on the sidelines, shall be match for that recreation, whereas defender Thilo Kehrer shall be sidelined after information of his constructive coronavirus take a look at fell shortly earlier than kick-off in opposition to Brest.

Pochettino once more began playmaker Marco Verratti in a complicated position behind central striker Kean, with the latter opening the scoring within the sixteenth minute.

Captain Marquinhos headed Angel Di Maria’s nook in opposition to the submit and Kean was readily available to nod within the rebound from barely a metre out. It was his eleventh objective, and his ninth in Ligue 1, since signing on mortgage from Everton in October.

– Lyon protect unbeaten run –

Brest, who sit in mid-table and are probably the greatest sides to observe in France, might have scored earlier than that however Keylor Navas clawed away Romain Faivre’s early effort for the guests.

It was solely within the last 10 minutes that PSG ran away with the sport, as Kylian Mbappe arrange Icardi — on rather than Kean — to get the second earlier than Sarabia fired in to make it 3-0.

Lyon’s lengthy unbeaten streak regarded set to finish as they discovered themselves two objectives down in Rennes, with Clement Grenier and Benjamin Bourigeaud scoring for the house aspect.

Nevertheless, Memphis Depay pulled one again together with his eleventh objective of the season on 79 minutes and Jason Denayer equalised shortly after.

“Our first half of the season has been of a very excessive normal,” stated Lyon coach Rudi Garcia.

“We have to maintain it going. Our goal is to no less than draw back from fourth place after which we’ll see the place we’re come the run-in.”

Lille bounced again from a shock midweek house defeat by Angers to win at Nimes due to a first-half objective by veteran Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz.

The draw for Rennes, and a goalless draw for Marseille at Dijon, allowed Monaco to maneuver as much as fourth spot as they beat Angers 3-0 with German worldwide Kevin Volland grabbing his ninth Ligue 1 objective in between efforts from Guillermo Maripan and Stevan Jovetic.

There have been additionally wins for Bordeaux, Reims and Strasbourg.

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