fOotball fans associate Andre Vilas Boas with the race. Former managers of Porto, Chelsea, Tottenham and Marseille were making waves as drivers at the Dakar Rally, but now if the manager is shifting gears, it must certainly be Luis Enrique. PSG played against Reel on Saturday. This is a game surrounded by a calendar of French football fans for two reasons. Not only was it a real test of both sides before the final 16 bonds in the Champions League, it was also the first game that PSG lost in the league this season.
It was mostly a contest as the reels were playing a spinning lineup at Parc des Princes. Ethan Mbappé's impressive cameo was the only bright spot for visitors as PSG easily ran out of 4-1 winners. They scored all four goals in the first half that Enrique called “our best of the year.” League 1 critics point out that PSG is 13 points clear at the top of the table, but Lille's performance in the Champions League – they finished seventh in the group stage and set the final 16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
The final 16 tie against Liverpool is the real battle for the Titans. Six weeks ago, Liverpool was walking on the water. They were the best team in Europe as they won seven out of eight matches at the top of the Champions League group stage, but that title may have only been handed over to PSG. The winners of the final 10 matches at all competitions (and 19 out of 20) became an attractive force. Luis Enrique is able to rotate players inside and outside the side, while maintaining the focus of the team's attack.
The winger, who scored a goal and assist against the reel, was the lynchpin of his team's offensive, released by Luis Enrique to drift between his central role and right flank. With 18 goals in League One, he was comfortable the top scorer in the competition and found the net six times in Europe.
Also, form hits Desire Doe and Bradley Barcola were on the scoresheet on Saturday. Doué has had four goals and five assists since the end of January, and has been sliding smoothly into the midfield role with Warren Zaï-Emery's absence, with Barcola getting the same total. Their strong performance helped them sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January. The former Napoli played his reputation on the left, but he thrived on his right flank as Denvale took over the center and began with a deeper role.
Kvaratskhelia rested for the reel game and recently faced Brest and Lyon of the league in the Champions League. Currently, PSG has the second most dangerous offensive quartet in Europe after Real Madrid. Yes, there have been some nervous moments this season, especially in Europe, but Luis Enrique has his team at the pinnacle of his strength. They couldn't face tougher challenges than Liverpool, but they are confident in running deeper in the competition.
As for the reels, questions may be creeping up after such an impressive show for PSG and some shaking shapes. They beat fellow Champions League contender Monaco last weekend, but in recent weeks they also suffered an embarrassing elimination from Couped France at the hands of League 2 side Dunkirk.
The injury played their part. Thiago Santos remains an important mistake, just like Edon Zegrova, who doesn't return until after an international break, but Lille has seen more and more what they've slowed down.
The good news is that, like PSG, they have a small number of informed youth led by Icelandic winger Hakon Haraldsson. With Zhegrova still not present, Haraldsson was their main attack spark. The 21-year-old has shaken up a string of injuries and frequently fulfills his potential. Haraldson is the man in the match against Monaco with braces and is properly supported by a pair of young teenage sensations Ayyoub Bouaddi and Congo Player Dr. ngal'ayel Mukau, who were signed by Belgian side Meschellen last summer.
Angel Gomez often suffered from injuries and the two youngsters were strengthened as Nabil Bentaleb lost the game due to his heart condition. Even if two more experienced teammates return to full fitness, they could still line up side by side with Captain Benjamin Andre.
Lille and PSG are proud of France in the Champions League this season. Even better, they do it by fostering promising young talent.
Lyon 2-1 Brest, Angers 0-4 Toulouse, Orchisaré 0-1 Strasbourg, Montpellier 0-4 Rennes, Marseille 2-0 Nantes, Saint-Etienne 1-3 Nice, Lens 3-4 LeHavre, PSG 4-1 Reel, Monaco 3-0 Rame.
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Lyon 2-1 Brest, Angers 0-4 Toulouse, Orchisaré 0-1 Strasbourg, Montpellier 0-4 Rennes, Marseille 2-0 Nantes, Saint-Etienne 1-3 Nice, Lens 3-4 LeHavre, PSG 4-1 Reel, Monaco 3-0 Rame.
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Later than ever? Marseille took over three-quarters of the match to find the net against Nantes, who was threatened with relegation in Sunday's nightcap, but finally got there. In the end, a 2-0 victory put them in second place, with six points clearing from fourth-placed Monaco. It wasn't pretty, but after last week's collapse (and Pablo Longoria's implosion), it was the victory needed to keep them in pole position in the Champions League location.
Legends write their own stories in their own words. Alexandre Lacazette may leave the club twice this summer, but he has successfully achieved that status in Lyon. Despite his recent fight against injuries and his fight with Georges Mikautatze for his place, the striker was his clinical best when his side needed him most on Sunday. Lyon still finishes in the top four of League One and is aiming to go far in the Europa League. They face the FCSB in the final 16.
Speaking of legends, Andre Au, writing his story, is not over. The veteran Ghanaian scored one goal and set another in LeHarble's thrilling 4-3 victory over Lens. After losing three key players in January, the Lens still isn't at the best nick, but LeHarble doesn't bother him as the victory pulls them away from the bottom three. Having four goals since the turn of the year, Ayew may be elemental in helping teams avoid declines.
