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PSG thrash Lille 4-1 ahead of Champions League showdown

Paris Saint-Germain prepared perfectly their mid-week Champions League clash against Liverpool with a 4-1 home victory over Lille. Barcola, Dembélé, Marquinhos and Désiré Doué scored for the hosts in ththe first half while David reduced the deficit at the 80th.
ByAlan Mezoela|
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 McDonald's
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 McDonald's | Franco Arland/GettyImages

Ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 clashes, Paris Saint-Germain and Lille are facing each other on Matchday 24 of the Ligue 1 McDonald's. Therefore, this game will be crucial to prepare as well as possible their mid-week battles.

Coming off a 7-0 victory over Stade Briochin in the quarterfinal of the Coupe de France, Les Parisiens are looking to keep their winning streak going before facing Arne Slot's Liverpool on Wednesday. To do so, Luis Enrique chose to make six changes in the starting IX that defeated Stade Briochin in the Coupe de France on Wednesday. Following his mid-week hat-trick, Gonçalo Ramos earned a starting role in this league game, his sixth start in this campaign. On Lille's side, Bentaleb made his first start of the season, while Jonathan David started the game on the bench.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Donnarumma; Marquinhos (cap.), Beraldo, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi; Doué, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, Dembélé.

LOSC Lille starting XI: Chevalier; Diakité, Alexsandro, Meunier, Gudmundsson; Bentaleb, Andre, Gomes, Bakker, Mukau; Akpom.

Ligue 1: Paris dominate Lille ahead of Champions League clash

Paris had a wonderful start in this game, opening the score inside six minutes through Bradley Barcola. The France international who scored his 12th league goal of the season perfectly following up on the rebound of Dembélé's effort saved by Chevalier. Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi forced Chevalier into an impressive double save, preventing the French Champions a second goal (20'). Moments later, club captain Marquinhos made it 2-0 on a corner taken by Dembélé (22'). The visitors broke under the increasing pressure put up by the hosts.

At the 28th minute, Ousmane Dembélé scored the third goal of his side following a remarkable team effort. It was Dembélé's 18th league goal of the season, increasing his lead in the golden boot race. Désiré Doué scored a wonderful goal to make it 4-0 at the 37th minute of the game. The former Rennes player placed a powerful shot in the top right corner of Chevalier.

Both teams went into the half-time break with the hosts up by four against an opponents posing no threat to them, with Lille not attempting a shot in the half.

With both teams preparing important Champions League mid-week games, Bruno Genesio and Luis Enrique operated numerous substitutions, and the intensity of the game dropped significantly despite Paris' ongoing domination on the game.

Jonathan David reduced the deficit for the visitors with 10 minutes left in the game. The Canada international perfectly followed up on Ethan Mbappé’s shot saved by Donnarumma to score his 13th league goal of the season.

Up next, Paris will host Liverpool for a Champions League Round of 16 first-leg showdown that will see two European giants clash on Wednesday, March 5th.

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