Without much shine, but with their usual efficiency, Paris Saint-Germain beat Rennes (1-0) at home, with a goal from Kylian Mbappé, in the semi-finals of the French Cup, this Wednesday (3), and if qualified for the final, in which they will face Lyon.
In this duel on May 25th, in Lille, PSG will fight to regain a tournament in which they hold the record for titles (14), but whose trophy they have not lifted since 2021.
In this Wednesday’s semi-final, Mbappé received a long pass from fellow Spaniard Fabián Ruiz in the 40th minute, entered the area and, amidst several markers, sent a shot that deflected slightly off defender Warmed Omari before entering the Bretons’ goal. .
The French star had had other chances up to that point in the match. At 12 minutes, he was alone face to face with Steve Mandanda. The goalkeeper managed to deflect it onto the crossbar, which repelled the ball. In the 36th minute, Mbappé himself had missed a penalty, in which Mandanda guessed the corner.
The goalkeeper shone on other occasions when he prevented Mbappé from expanding (52′ and 58′) and, as a result, Rennes stayed in the game until the end.
Rennes had chances to equalize in the second half, but they lacked aim.
Unlike the previous game, the derby won away from home against Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, this time Mbappé was not substituted by coach Luis Enrique, a week before the long-awaited Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, in the Parque dos Príncipes. But first, on Saturday, PSG will host Clermont in Ligue 1 at the same stadium.
Triple crown dream is still alive
In this championship, PSG is the isolated leader and Luis Enrique can make changes thinking about the game against Barça.
“I’m very satisfied, very happy. The French Cup was a goal since the beginning of the season and being in the final is a source of satisfaction for everyone”, commented Luis Enrique at the post-match press conference.
“In the second half we could have closed the game, but in this type of duel it is especially important not to make mistakes”, said the Asturian coach.
PSG remains in contention for a historic treble of Ligue 1-Cup de France-Champions.
On Tuesday, Lyon, which is having a discreet campaign in the French championship (where it is in 10th place), beat Valenciennes, bottom of the second division and revelation of this ‘Coupe’, 3-0 at its stadium.
Lyon, five times champion of the French Cup in its history, is investing all its chips in this competition to save its season.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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