forward Neymar (C) is evacuated on a stretcher during the French L1
football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon (OL), on
December 13, 2020 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. FRANCK
FIFE / AFP
Paris Saint-Germain surrendered top spot in Ligue 1
after losing 1-0 at home to Lyon on Sunday but potentially suffered
a more devastating blow as an anguished Neymar was
stretchered off with an ankle injury.
Tino Kadewere’s first-half goal secured Lyon a seventh win
in eight matches as they moved level with Lille, who took over
first place earlier in the day following a 2-1 home victory over
Bordeaux.
PSG dropped to third after losing for the fourth time in 14
games this season, but the far greater concern will be the health
of Neymar after his ankle appeared to twist awkwardly
under a challenge from Thiago Mendes in stoppage time.
The Lyon midfielder was sent off for the tackle following a VAR
review while a distraught Neymar, in considerable pain, was
taken off on a stretcher having immediately signalled for medical
assistance.
“He’s with the physio and the doctors and we have to wait for
the tests tomorrow (Monday),” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told French
broadcaster Telefoot.
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Lyon’s first win away to PSG since October 2007, the last season
they won the Ligue 1 crown, provided fresh hope of a genuine title
race this term with the top five teams separated by just three
points.
“We defended well, we destroyed their strength, and then played
well enough in attack to score at least once,” said Lyon coach Rudi
Garcia.
PSG trail the leading duo by a point with Marseille, who have
two games in hand on their rivals, another point back in fourth
alongside Montpellier.
“Losing top spot doesn’t worry me. But we didn’t have the right
approach and I have a problem with that,” said Tuchel.
“We were never mentally ready to play this match. We were shot
mentally. We never found our rhythm either. We didn’t play with
enough concentration or discipline.
“It was a big step backwards after the last match. I’m
surprised. I was expecting a very high level.”
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With Kylian Mbappe rested from the start, Moise Kean
partnered Neymar in attack following the Brazilian’s
hat-trick in the midweek 5-1 Champions League win against Istanbul
Basaksehir — a game that was completed 24 hours later than planned
after an unprecedented anti-racism protest.
Kimpembe error punished
However, it was Lyon, without any European commitments this
season, who took the lead on 35 minutes after a loose pass under
pressure from PSG captain Presnel Kimpembe.
Karl Toko Ekambi collected the ball in the PSG half and
immediately picked out Kadewere who steadied himself before sliding
low beyond Keylor Navas for the Zimbabwe international’s fifth goal
of the campaign.
Alessandro Florenzi drew a sharp save from Anthony Lopes before
half-time while a thumping effort from Lucas Paqueta called Navas
into action midway through the second half, just after the
introduction of Mbappe.
forward Neymar (L) is tackled by Lyon’s Dutch defender Kenny Tete
during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain
(PSG) and Lyon (OL), on December 13, 2020 at the Parc des Princes
stadium in Paris. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
After Navas kept out an attempt from Lyon substitute Bruno
Guimaraes, Mbappe had a late chance to rescue a point for PSG but
shot wide from the edge of the area in time added on
before Neymar’s unwelcome injury.
Portugal defender Jose Fonte, who turns 37 later this month,
scored the winner for Lille with a bullet header just before
half-time against Bordeaux.
Jonathan Bamba’s exquisite curling strike gave Lille the lead on
16 minutes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy before Toma Basic levelled
from a Hatem Ben Arfa corner.
Lille travel to bottom side Dijon in midweek before the visit of
defending champions PSG next Sunday in what could be a defining
week for a club chasing a first league title since 2011.
“I don’t think we can fight with Paris for the title. We need to
fight to pick up points and stay at the top,” said Lille coach
Christophe Galtier, keen to temper expectations.
AFP
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