Paris Saint-Germain, without FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Neymar, lost for the first time in any competition since March 20 last year when they were defeated 3-1 at RC Lens on Sunday.
“Lens deserved their win,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier said.
Lois Openda scored one and set up another as Lens, who have only lost once in Ligue 1 this season, closed the gap on PSG at the top to four points after 17 rounds.
Photo: Reuters
“We are happy to be four points behind,” Lens coach Franck Haise said. “This victory proves that we can beat anyone in this championship.”
PSG’s last loss was more than nine months ago when they fell 3-0 at AS Monaco in Ligue 1, although that still left them 12 points clear at the top of the table.
On Sunday, PSG were without Messi and suspended Brazilian Neymar, but Kylian Mbappe, the Golden Boot winner in Qatar, received a rousing welcome from Lens fans as he warmed up.
Galtier said he hoped French fans would give Messi a similar reception.
“He’s going to join us on Jan. 3, in 48 hours,” Galtier said. “I hope Leo will be well received. He won the most beautiful trophy by being very good. We know he’s a great and decisive player so we hope he’ll be well received obviously.”
“Kylian worked had. He showed a very good attitude,” Galtier said. “Leo and Ney were not there, but that is no excuse.”
Lens took the lead after 5 minutes when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma blocked an effort from Massadio Haidara to Przemyslaw Frankowski who scored.
Hugo Ekitike replied 3 minutes later, swinging hard as Brice Samba dived to gather a cross and driving the ball through the Lens goalkeeper’s grasp.
Lens took control after 28 minutes. Seko Fofana won possession on the edge of his own box, drove through a couple of challenges then measured a pass between the PSG central defenders to Openda. The Belgian sprinted clear and squeezed a shot under Donnarumma.
Lens pressed from the start of the second half, and in the 48th minute won possession deep in PSG’s half. The ball reached Openda in the box, his backheel left the defense flat-footed and enabled Alexis Claude Maurice to take a touch and score from close range.
The French league normally takes the holiday season off, but with matches to make up after the World Cup, it played one round immediately after Christmas and another on Sunday and yesterday.
They have dubbed the games Celebration Week in English, as a nod to the English tradition of Boxing Day games, but many fans were suspicious or hostile toward the move.
Among protest banners unfurled by fans in an almost empty stand at Nantes, where the home team beat AJ Auxerre 1-0, was one that said the league and broadcasters were “killing” them.
In Monaco, Aleksandr Golovin smashed in the only goal from outside the penalty area as the home team did just enough to beat Stade Brestois 29 1-0 and tighten their grip on fourth place.
Angers SCO remain anchored to the bottom after suffering a ninth straight loss, falling 2-1 to visiting Lorient who broke their run of six games without a victory.
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