10-MAN LENS STUN PSG 1-0 TO LIFT FRENCH CHAMPIONS’ TROPHY
Read Time:1 Minute, 56 Second
Agency Report
Ten-man Lens stunned Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 on Sunday to deny the French champions a second trophy in five days, with Florian Thauvin’s first-half strike securing victory in the French Champions’ Trophy.
Lens claimed the title in their first match under new manager Dino Toppmoeller, adding the trophy to the French Cup they won under former coach Pierre Sage in May.
Despite dominating possession for long periods, PSG struggled to create clear-cut opportunities at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, even after Lens were reduced to 10 men in the first half.
PSG manager Luis Enrique admitted his side deserved more from the encounter but congratulated Lens for their performance.
“I think we deserved more,” Enrique said. “But I have to congratulate Lens – they won, and they played very well, with their usual intensity.”
Lens took the lead in the 32nd minute after PSG failed to clear a dangerous cross, allowing Thauvin to finish from the back post.
Their advantage was threatened six minutes before half-time when Kyllian Antonio was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Maghnes Akliouche.
PSG nearly capitalised on the numerical advantage before the break, but Desire Doue’s effort from a tight angle struck the crossbar.
The European champions continued to struggle after the restart as Lens remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Thauvin narrowly missed another opportunity, while PSG substitute Nuno Mendes came close with a long-range effort.
Luis Enrique introduced Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele as PSG searched for an equaliser, but Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser remained composed and kept out Dembele’s effort.
PSG’s frustration deepened in the closing stages when Mendes was sent off for elbowing Lens wing-back Michal Skoras off the ball, leaving both sides with 10 men.
The defeat ended PSG’s hopes of adding the French Champions’ Trophy to the UEFA Super Cup they won against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
PSG will now turn their attention to the defence of their Ligue 1 title, beginning with a home fixture against Rennes next week. Mendes will miss the match through suspension.
Lens, who finished runners-up to PSG in Ligue 1 last season, qualified for the Champions’ Trophy after winning their first-ever French Cup with a 3-1 victory over Nice in May.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0