Ligue McDonald’s, Round 17, 04/01/26

PSG defeated their Parisian rivals thanks to goals from France internationals Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé. The Champions League winners will start the second half of the Ligue 1 campaign with a 1-point deficit to league leaders RC Lens.

The Match 

For the first time in more than 47 years, PSG hosted their closest rivals possible in Paris FC, whose Stade Jean-Bouin just sits 44 metres away from Parc des Princes. The Champions League winners enjoyed possession in the early exchanges, but they could not take their chances, as shown by Joaõ Neves’ back pass when the Portuguese surely should have had a go at goal.

On their part, Paris FC held firm, showing the right kind of agression to win duels and contain PSG’s onslaught thanks to their 5-man defense. Désiré Doué thought he had offered his team a penalty, but VAR stepped in as the former Rennes winger was fouled by Otavio outside the box.

With almost 70% of possession and a virtually untested Lucas Chevalier, PSG were purring, but not biting, until the 45th minute. Jonathan Ikoné’s cheap pass only found Vitinha, who immediately alerted Fabian Ruiz. The Spaniard picked Doué’s run, who fired in the opener past Kevin Trapp with composure.

Early in the second, PFC were offered a lifeline as Lucas Chevalier and Illia Zabarnyi – PSG’s summer signings – could not deal with a through ball to Alimami Gory, fouled by the former Bournemouth centre-back. Willem Geubbels restored parity from the spot.

PSG wasted little time to let doubt creep in. Ousmane Dembélé outpaced Thibault De Smet on the right and lashed a left-footer that took a heavy deflection from Moustapha Mbow before going in.

PSG strengthened their grip to contain every counter-attacks from the visitors. Luis Enrique brought fresh legs with the introductions of Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos and Marquinhos as the Spaniard kept an eye on Thursday’s Trophée des Champions tie against arch-rivals Marseille.

Despite their one-goal lead, PSG carefully managed the final exchanges to close the gap to Ligue 1 leaders RC Lens to a single point. As for Paris FC, they remain embroiled in the relegation battle as their advantage over 16th-placed Nantes is cut to two points.

PSG player ratings

Lucas Chevalier – 4

Nuno Mendes – 6

Willian Pacho – 6

Illia Zabarnyi – 4

The Ukrainian is yet to wholly justify the €65m transfer fee that PSG committed for him. He gave away a cheap penalty and did not look confident compared to Pacho. Replaced by Marquinhos.

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 5

Fabian Ruiz – 6

Vitinha – 5

João Neves – 4

Senny Mayulu – 4

Ousmane Dembélé – 5

The Ballon d’Or winner showed some flashes of brilliance, and fired PSG in front with a nice spot of luck, but he remains far from the player who lit up PSG in the second half of the previous campaign.

Désiré Doué – 7

The Golden Boy winner has been PSG’s most potent attacking outlet tonight. He looked like he could make a difference at every touch and always looked close to the action. Fired in the opener with the silk and steel of his right foot.