3 positives and 2 negatives from PSG’s narrow win over Brest

Desiré Doué’s late goal saw PSG beat Brest 1-0 last night to all but mathematically guarantee another Ligue 1 Trophy for the side from the capital.

Let’s have a look at some of the positives and negatives from last night’s display.

Three positives and two negatives as PSG beat Brest, edging closer to Ligue 1 title

Positive #1: League title wrapped up after odd domestic campaign

It was, in truth, an odd domestic campaign for PSG – but despite a strong challenge from Lens, the French League is now wrapped up for the fifth time in a row, with two games to spare. Lens had been close challengers after their fast start to the season, but a loss of form in recent weeks left the club from Calais some way off the pace at the top of the table. PSG’s title is not mathematically certain, but barring a nigh impossible goal difference swing over the next few weeks, it looks as though the Ligue 1 Trophy will be staying in Paris this season.

Positive #2: Desiré Doué shows his class in his new kit

PSG last night sported their new kit for the first time: with next season’s number featuring a lighter shade of blue than has appeared on the Parisians jerseys over the last few years. It was Desiré Doué, off the bench, who had the standout moment in this new outfit, rifling home the winning goal from outside the box with around ten minutes left to play. After an all action display in the Champions League in midweek, it’s good for the talented young Frenchman to finally get on the scoresheet today.

Positive #3: Mayulu with a standout position at right-back: following in Zaire-Emery’s footsteps?

PSG’s academy players seem to have a knack for slotting into different positions all over the pitch, with Warren Zaire-Emery having been widely praised for his positional versatility this season. Mayulu seems to also be able to smoothly and seamlessly slot into different positions, as the youngster put in a fine performance: managing four shots (two of which were on target and one of which hit the woodwork), a 90% passing accuracy, one big chance created, two successful dribbles and four out of four tackles won.

Negative #1: Starting attackers struggle initially to break down Brest defence

On a day during which PSG fans were no doubt expecting to witness a celebratory festival of dominant football, given the excellent circumstances of the last fortnight for PSG, Enrique’s starting attack of Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos and Kang In Lee failed to set the world alight, as all three were replaced before the 70 minute mark. It would have been an occasion for each of them to make a case for an appearance in the Champions League final, and Luis Enrique would have expected more clinical performances from his forward players in those circumstances.

Negative #2: Despite not needing too, PSG haven’t turned it on that often in Ligue Un this campaign

PSG’s success in Ligue 1 this season can appear to be something of a double-edged sword. It’s excellent for the club to win the title, which is now their fifth successive Ligue 1 trophy. But is there not a tinge of bitter-sweetness to this particular victory, particularly given the fact that this league win was essentially achieved without PSG ever consistently starting their first choice Champions League XI in the French top flight: in fact, it’s surely more of a damning indictment on the standards of Ligue 1 that PSG were able to cruise relatively serenely to this title without ever really kicking into gear – PSG fans won’t mind too much, of course, but perhaps even they would appreciate more of a domestic challenge at some point.

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