PSG v Reims Live Commentary & Result, 29/1/23, Ligue 1

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	PSG PSG	28	21	3	4	68	28	+40	66	L W W W W
2	OM Olympique Marseille	28	18	5	5	53	28	+25	59	W D W L W
3	RCL Lens	28	16	9	3	47	21	+26	57	W W D D W
4	ASM Monaco	28	16	6	6	57	37	+20	54	W L D L W
5	REN Rennes	28	15	5	8	47	29	+18	50	W D L W W
6	LIL Lille	28	14	7	7	51	36	+15	49	W D D W L
7	NIC Nice	28	11	11	6	37	25	+12	44	D D D W D
8	FCL Lorient	28	12	8	8	41	37	+4	44	D W D L W
9	SR Reims	28	10	13	5	36	28	+8	43	L W W W D
10	OL Olympique Lyonnais	28	11	8	9	43	32	+11	41	D D D W L
11	MON Montpellier	28	11	3	14	44	47	-3	36	W W W D W
12	TFC Toulouse	28	10	5	13	43	48	-5	35	L W L L L
13	CLE Clermont	28	9	7	12	27	40	-13	34	L L W D L
14	NAN Nantes	28	6	12	10	30	37	-7	30	D D L L L
15	STR Strasbourg	28	5	11	12	34	46	-12	26	W D L D W
16	BRE Brest	28	5	9	14	30	46	-16	24	D L W L L
17	AJA Auxerre	28	5	8	15	23	51	-28	23	L D D W W
18	TRO Troyes	28	4	9	15	38	61	-23	21	D L D L L
19	ACA Ajaccio	28	6	3	19	20	50	-30	21	L L L W L
20	SCO Angers SCO	28	2	4	22	21	63	-42	10	L L L L L

We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of a thrilling contest from the French capital. It's goodbye from us, we hope to see you next time!

PSG inch three points ahead of second-placed Lens at the top of Ligue 1, but it's another disappointing result after their defeat at Rennes two weeks ago. Galtier's men threatened to add a second goal on the break after Neymar's opener, but Reims spent long periods on the attack and were good value for the 1-1 draw, with Balogun the hero after leading the line effectively throughout. The visitors climb one place to 11th in the table.

PSG are stunned with virtually the last kick at the Parc des Princes! The Parisians were underwhelming for long periods but looked to be on course for victory when Neymar coolly rounded Diouf to open the scoring. Verratti, introduced as a half-time substitute, made PSG's task more difficult when his reckless challenge on Ito saw him sent off, but the hosts clung on until the sixth minute of stoppage time, when Balogun pounced to score a remarkable equaliser! In truth, it's no more than the visitors deserved, and they are now unbeaten in 12 league games!

90' + 7' FULL-TIME: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1-1 REIMS

K. Doumbia

Assist

90' + 6' Doumbia gets the assist after some sensational work in midfield, beating Sanches to the ball to tee up Balogun's all-important strike. What an impact he has had from the bench!

F. Balogun

Goal

90' + 6' GOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! REIMS HAVE STOLEN A POINT AT THE DEATH! Balogun rounds Donnarumma to net the most dramatic of equalisers! PSG look to be on the brink of victory as a free-kick is hoisted downfield, but Doumbia wins possession to poke a fine pass in behind. Balogun races onto it before keeping his cool to beat the PSG goalkeeper and apply the finish. It's 1-1!

90' + 4' Donnarumma claims a right-wing cross authoritatively before falling on the ball. PSG are nearly there…

G. Donnarumma

Yellow Card

90' + 4' Donnarumma is booked for time-wasting before hammering the free-kick upfield. Is there to be one last chance for the visitors?

90' + 3' Ramos is fouled just outside his own area. PSG will be in no hurry to take this free-kick – they are just two minutes away from going five points clear at the top of Ligue 1!

90' + 2' Van Bergen's cross comes off Bernat and goes behind for a corner. Goalkeeper Diouf is up… but the kick is cleared at the first attempt.

90' We're into five added minutes here, will the 10 men hold on?

89' CLOSE! Van Bergen has Donnarumma scrambling to his right with a curling left-footed strike from range, which flies narrowly wide of the top-left corner! That's as close as Reims have come to a leveller, and the shot came just moments after Agbadou's challenge prevented Mbappe from getting a tap-in at the other end!

87' Poor decision from Doumbia! Balogun has been exceptional as a lone striker here, and his fine pass releases Doumbia into the area. The Reims substitute could have gone for goal, but his attempted cut-back drops into the arms of Donnarumma. That looked to be a decent chance!

86' Reims continue to probe as Pereira heads a cross away, before Abdelhamid's weak long-range effort is comfortably claimed by Donnarumma. PSG are not used to being forced back at the Parc des Princes, but they still have some defending to do if they are to see this one out with 10 men.

W. Zaïre-Emery

Neymar

85' Now Galtier decides to withdraw one of his front three as Neymar is replaced by Zaire-Emery, who will make up a three-man midfield with Pereira and Sanches. The Brazil forward looks likely to end up as the matchwinner.

M. van Bergen

J. Ito

83' Van Bergen is on for Ito, whose direct running led to Verratti's red card.

D. Lopy

J. Cajuste

83' Lopy replaces Cajuste for Reims, as Still decides to make another double change.

83' CHANCES FOR MBAPPE AND MESSI! PSG should be out of sight as Neymar feeds Mbappe. He draws a strong save from Diouf with a low left-footed shot, before the rebound falls to Messi. The World Cup winner uncharacteristically drags his finish just wide, and Reims are still in the game!

81' We're into the final 10 minutes of the 90 as Messi is caught deep inside his own half, winning a free-kick for his team. While Reims have exerted more control since the red card, PSG's front three have threatened on the break, and you get the feeling there could be another goal in this contest.

80' Some unorthodox defending proves effective for PSG as Ito's ball evades Balogun, before Hakimi shields the ball and plays it out coolly under pressure.

78' Messi is crowded out on the edge of the area, but he keeps possession before Sanches is felled by Doumbia's challenge. The PSG midfielder believes he was fouled, but the referee awards a throw-in to the visitors instead.

77' Donnarumma's poor pass runs out of play, gifting Reims a throw in an advanced position. They work the ball to Zeneli, but Hakimi makes a brilliant challenge before launching a counter-attack.

A. Zeneli

A. Flips

75' Meanwhile, Zeneli is on in place of Flips, who has been lively throughout for Reims. Still will hope these changes make the difference.

K. Doumbia

M. Munetsi

75' Doumbia replaces Munetsi as Reims look to inject some attacking impetus.

75' Balogun shoots over after Flips plays a weighted ball in behind Marquinhos. The angle was tight, and the Arsenal loanee never looked like getting that one on target.

74' Reims have not mustered a clear chance since the break, but they remain in this game. Still appears to be readying a pair of substitutions.

73' Flips' delivery finds Cajuste at the far post, but his header goes behind off Pereira. Neymar is then on hand to nod the resulting corner away.

71' Donnarumma punches a right-wing cross away before Foket is fouled by Neymar. Reims will swing this wide free-kick into the box...

70' Mbappe finds Messi after haring down the left, and the Argentinian looks to pick out Neymar with a backheel in a crowded area. However, Reims crowd him out before clearing the danger.

69' Interestingly, Galtier has opted against taking off any of his three attacking stars despite Verratti's red card, with Fabian and Soler the men replaced in midfield. It's a strategy that could make for an end-to-end finish as Reims chase an equaliser.

Renato Sanches

Fabián Ruiz

68' Sanches is the next man introduced by Galtier, in place of Fabian.

67' This game has burst into life in recent minutes, and while Reims will be hopeful of a comeback after seeing PSG reduced to 10 men, they are fortunate not to be two goals behind. A fascinating last 23 minutes awaits.

65' Hakimi has the ball in the net, but the offside flag denies PSG! The Morocco full-back races in behind to place a well-taken finish into the bottom-right corner. He wheels away in celebration, thinking his 10-man side are two goals to the good, but the linesman has his flag up, and the goal won't stand!

64' HOW IS IT NOT 2-0? This is remarkable! PSG win a corner, which is attacked by Ramos. His header bounces off the turf and onto the crossbar, before the Spain international sees two further close-range efforts cleared off the line before being penalised for handball! Reims survive, just.

Danilo Pereira

Carlos Soler

63' Soler is the man sacrificed by Galtier as PSG look to shore things up after the red card. Pereira is on in his place.

61' Good save from Diouf! Soler's advance into the penalty area is stopped by Agbadou, only for Mbappe to latch onto the loose ball. He works it onto his left foot before shooting from a narrow angle, but Diouf stands firm to turn it away!

60' Mbappe vents his frustration after being denied a free-kick following a challenge on the edge of the area. This game is being played at a frantic tempo now!

58' Verratti can have no complaints about his dismissal, having made contact with Ito's ankle with his studs. The referee did well to play advantage, a decision which almost saw Reims win a penalty, but Balogun was ruled offside.

M. Verratti

Red Card

57' RED CARD FOR VERRATTI! An astonishing phase of play ends with the PSG substitute being sent off! Verratti was shown a yellow card in the aftermath of the penalty appeal for a heavy challenge on Ito in the build-up. However, a VAR review ends with referee Ruddy Buquet being sent to the monitor, and he deems the Italian's challenge to be a dangerous one. It's a straight red!

55' Penalty to Reims… but no, it's offside! Marquinhos clips Balogun as the Arsenal loanee races through on goal, and the referee points to the spot. However, a VAR review spots that the striker was offside, and that's a real let-off for PSG!

53' Reims were terrific in the first half, but after failing to take their chances, they go behind through PSG's first shot on target. They face an uphill battle to extend their unbeaten run now.

Juan Bernat

Assist

51' Bernat is credited with the assist as the ball bounces into Neymar's feet at close range. There's a swift VAR check on the goal, but Neymar was clearly onside!

Neymar

Goal

51' GOAL! NEYMAR PUTS PSG AHEAD! PSG get the breakthrough, as Neymar finishes coolly following a fortuitous deflection. Messi dances past a challenge before letting fly from 18 yards out. His shot hits Bernat and lands at Neymar's feet, allowing the Brazilian to round Diouf and finish high into the roof of the net. 1-0!

50' Flips is caught offside as Reims look to turn PSG for the first time in the second half. The hosts are certainly enjoying more control since the break.

49' PSG averaged 3.2 goals per game in their last 13 outings with each of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe starting before this match, showing how impressive Reims' defensive performance has been so far.

48' The corner is worked short before the ball eventually drops to Messi under pressure on the edge of the area. The Argentine great takes the shot early, but it dribbles wide of the right-hand post.

47' PSG have come out of the blocks quickly following the restart, with Soler seeing a long-range strike blocked before Hakimi's driving run forces the visitors to clear behind for a corner.

47' PSG have gone unbeaten in their last 31 Ligue 1 home games (W27 D4) prior to this contest, scoring in each of the last 20. Unless something changes in the next 45 minutes, that latter sequence is set to end.

46' Reims get the ball rolling for the second half in the French capital!

M. Verratti

Vitinha

46' PSG have opted to make a change at the break, bringing on Verratti for Vitinha in midfield. Galtier will hope the Italy international can provide a spark – he scored twice in this fixture last term.

PSG's three attacking stars have not played together in a competitive game since before the World Cup, and that has been apparent in a disjointed showing from the champions. In fairness, the rest of the team have not been much better – Reims have had nine attempts at goal to PSG's one despite only having 32 per cent of the possession, also matching their hosts' tally of 10 touches in the penalty area. Something must change if PSG are to extend their lead at the Ligue 1 summit.

It's half-time at the Parc des Princes, and we may have an upset on the cards. PSG have struggled to get to grips with in-form Reims from the first whistle, with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe yet to have a chance between them. At the other end, the Ligue 1 champions have Donnarumma to thank for keeping the scores level, making a reflex save to deny Munetsi, while Balogun and Ito have also had decent efforts at goal.

45' + 1' HALF-TIME: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 0-0 REIMS

45' Matusiwa makes a great sliding challenge to stop an ominous-looking run from Messi. We're into one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, and Reims have been excellent to a man.

44' Agbadou hammers Neymar's cross clear as the Brazilian looks to pick out Mbappe. Moments earlier, PSG created a three-on-three situation on the break, but Neymar appeared to choose the wrong pass towards Messi as Mbappe tried to get in behind.

42' Neymar is caught on the chin by a high boot from Matusiwa. The Brazil international is quickly back to his feet, however, and there is no card for the Reims midfielder.

40' A loose touch from Messi in a crowded area allows Reims to regain possession, before they begin to circulate it under little pressure on halfway. Galtier will surely be demanding improvements at the break.

38' Reims continue to threaten as Munetsi escapes Ramos to control a deep cross. The Reims man attempts a backheel towards goal, but it deflects off Ramos and hits his hand, giving PSG a free-kick.

37' Goalkeeper Diouf takes Reims' life into his hands with a heavy touch, before calmly rounding Messi under pressure and playing the ball out. The visitors have been excellent in playing out from the back so far.

J. Ito

Yellow Card

35' Neymar is sent sprawling by a sliding challenge from Ito, who becomes the first Reims player to be booked. That looked harsh, with the Japan winger appearing to have won the ball.

32' Reims have had seven shots, totalling 0.5 expected goals, to PSG's one (worth 0.06 xG) so far. Galtier's men need to step things up.

30' We've passed the half-hour mark at the Parc des Princes, and Reims have certainly carried the greater threat. Perhaps surprisingly, the visitors have pressed far higher than their hosts, pushing PSG back and creating several half-chances.

Marquinhos

Yellow Card

29' PSG are put on the back foot after Neymar loses possession 20 yards from goal. Ito drives at Marquinhos and tempts the Brazil international into a foul, which earns him a yellow card.

29' Munetsi's overhead kick goes wide! Ito is involved once again as the ball is worked to Flips on the right-hand side of the area. He stands a cross up for Munetsi, who sends an acrobatic effort wide.

26' Mbappe is four goals away from levelling Edinson Cavani's all-time record of 200 PSG goals. The France star is yet to have anything resembling a chance with Reims in control, but that could change in the blink of an eye.

25' Reims turn the ball over in midfield before breaking forward, but Munetsi's early effort is wild and flies well wide of Donnarumma's left-hand post.

24' The corner is cleared as far as Flips, who bends a left-footed effort over from 20 yards out. Donnarumma had that one covered, but it's another attempt at goal for the visitors, who are playing with confidence.

23' Donnarumma is called into action again! Cajuste slides a nice ball into Ito's path, with the Japan international racing towards the byline at close range. Donnarumma smothers his cut-back, but Reims win a corner…

22' Another attempt from Balogun as he peels away from Marquinhos to fire a left-footed volley high and wide from inside the area. His finish was lacking quality, but the in-form striker keeps finding space.

20' That's the first we've seen of PSG attacking at pace so far, though Reims' aggressive approach may leave space for the hosts' big-name attackers to exploit as the game goes on.

19' Great defending from Agbadou! A menacing break from PSG sees Neymar slip the ball to Mbappe, but Agbadou matches him stride for stride to slow his run before stealing possession.

18' PSG have been distinctly second-best so far, struggling to apply much pressure to Reims when the visitors have the ball. Balogun has been an effective focal point, and the likes of Flips and Cajuste are threatening the champions.

17' GREAT SAVE DONNARUMMA! Reims should be 1-0 up! Flips does brilliantly to keep the ball in play on the left after good work from Balogun and Cajuste. His cross evades several men before dropping to Munetsi at the back post, but Donnarumma makes a reflex save to keep his close-range effort out.

15' Another chance for Reims! The visitors have been excellent so far, and that's their best opportunity yet. Japan international Ito races onto a right-wing cross to fire a volley wide of the near post. It seems to take a deflection, but the officials don't spot it and award PSG a goal-kick.

12' Mbappe's advance down the left is slowed before Messi attempts to dart into the penalty area. The Reims backline eventually regroups to crowd him out, and the visitors manage to clear.

11' Straight at Donnarumma! PSG are living dangerously as Reims continue to press high up the pitch. Donnarumma sends another poor kick straight to Flips, who plays a neat cross into Balogun. He turns and volleys straight at the PSG goalkeeper, but it's another half-chance for the visitors.

9' Chance for Reims… but the flag is up! A neat turn and flick from Flips sends Balogun into the left-hand channel, from which he powers a left-footed volley towards goal. Donnarumma makes an acrobatic stop to tip it over the crossbar, but the flag belatedly goes up against the Reims man.

7' PSG lost their last Ligue 1 game (1-0 against Rennes), but they have not lost consecutive league matches since September 2020. The Parisian giants need a response after losing at Lens and Rennes already in 2023.

6' PSG are moving the ball patiently after almost being caught out early on. Messi links up with Neymar to work the ball towards Mbappe, who sees his right-footed cross drift harmlessly behind, with Soler unable to reach it.

4' Messi, Mbappe and Neymar are starting together in a competitive game for PSG for the first time since the World Cup, which culminated in a memorable battle between the former duo. Will they combine effectively here?

3' Messi has his first attempt, but it's over! Hakimi does well to flick a lofted ball into the World Cup winner's path, but he skews his right-footed volley over the crossbar.

1' Almost an early gift for Reims! Donnarumma's poor ball out is intercepted by Munetsi, but the midfielder's heavy touch allows the Italy goalkeeper to respond and smother the ball. That's a let-off for the hosts!

1' PSG – sporting a new-look black kit – get the ball rolling, and we're under way!

The teams are out at the Parc des Princes and kick-off is just moments away!

Reims boss Still will oversee his 10th Ligue 1 game at the helm here, and he could become just the eighth coach to avoid defeat through his first 10 matches in the competition, after Jean Marmies, Gerard Gili, Ricardo Gomes, Carlo Ancelotti, Lucien Favre, Claudio Ranieri and Thomas Tuchel.

Reims make five changes to the side that won 3-0 at Les Herbiers in their own French cup tie, as they look to preserve the longest current unbeaten run in Ligue 1 (11 games, W4 D7). Balogun leads the line for the visitors, having scored 10 league goals this season. Only six players, including Mbappe (13) and Neymar (11), have outscored the Arsenal loanee in the French top flight.

Galtier makes six changes to the side that hammered Pays de Cassel 7-0 in the Coupe de France on Monday, with Kylian Mbappe – who scored five times in that game – joining Neymar in keeping his place in the line-up. Messi is back in action after being rested last time out, while Marquinhos, Bernat and Hakimi all return to the backline.

REIMS SUBS: Nicolas Penneteau, Kamory Doumbia, Maxime Busi, Andreaw Gravillon, Arber Zeneli, Dion Lopy, Martin Adeline, Mitchell van Bergen, Rafik Guitane.

REIMS (4-2-3-1): Yehvann Diouf; Thomas Foket, Yunis Abdelhamid, Emmanuel Agbadou, Thibault De Smet; Marshall Munetsi, Azor Matusiwa; Alexis Flips, Jens Cajuste, Junya Ito; Folarin Balogun.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN SUBS: Keylor Navas, Marco Verratti, Danilo Pereira, Renato Sanches, Timothee Pembele, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ismael Gharbi, Hugo Ekitike.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Juan Bernat; Carlos Soler, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe.

Ligue 1 champions PSG are looking to get their title defence back on track following a defeat at Rennes in their last league outing two weeks ago. Lens are just two points behind them at the summit following a draw at Troyes yesterday, but Christophe Galtier's men are heavy favourites to get back to winning ways here. However, with Reims unbeaten since Will Still took over as coach in October, they may not have it all their own way.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 meeting with Reims at the Parc des Princes!

PSG v Reims Live Commentary, 30/1/23

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