PSG thumb Nantes to solidify top spot

Paris Sainte-Germain recorded a resounding victory against Nantes to reclaim a commanding position at the top of Ligue 1.

The European champions had to win this outstanding tie as the season reached its climax. 

Luis Enrique’s men are now four points clear at the top of the log over RC Lens with this 21st victory in the Ligue 1.

PSG went ahead early in the lopsided tie event, though Nantes didn’t deserve to fall behind so early.

Les Parisiens were helped by a generous penalty awarded after a VAR review for an unintentional handball by Ali Yousuf in the 12th minute. 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia converted, giving the hosts the freedom to play their game, mostly through Ousmane Dembélé, who forced Anthony Lopes into a brilliant save after a pass from Désiré Doué.

Relegation-threatened Nantes almost completely collapsed, but they found the strength to respond, playing a 5-3-2 formation.

 Louis Leroux thought he had levelled the tie with a lovely volley in the 22nd minute, only for the VAR to intervene as the goal was disallowed for offside. 

PSG threw a sucker punch, which proved too much for Nantes. The hosts, with another well-executed Parisian attack, got the second.

Marquinhos, Dembélé, and Hakimi won the ball back, and Doué fired a low, angled shot into the far corner in the 37th minute as they prepared to coast to victory.

Nantes attempted to halve the deficit with double attempts, but Matvei Safonov was alert to deny Mathis Abline, before being given a good rest in the second half.

Kvaratskhelia scored a brace with a lengthy one-two with Dembélé in the 50th minute. 

This allowed Luis Enrique to begin rotating his squad in preparation for upcoming matches. The sight of the Spaniard will be on the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.

PSG had such a comfortable cushion that they could afford to finish with ten men in case of a setback. 

They eventually had opportunities to extend the scoreline through Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz, who hit the woodwork.

The four-point cushion is expected to give PSG the confidence ahead of the crunch tie at Bollaert on May 13th against RC Lens.