"Messi and Mbappe wasting Neymar’s assists" - Twitter explodes as PSG are held to frustrating 1-1 draw by Reims
Stade Reims shocked 10-man Paris Saint Germain (PSG) with a last-gasp equalizer to secure a well-deserved 1-1 draw on Sunday (January 29). Florian Balogun 90+6th minute effort pegged back the Parisians and sealed a famous point.
Reims were the better side early on. Japanese winger Junya Ito had a golden opportunity in the 14th minute. His goal-bound effort got the slightest deflection off Sergio Ramos to prevent it from putting the visitors ahead.
Marshall Munetsi went close in the 16th minute as Reims broke on the counter. Parisian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save to deny the Zimbabwean. PSG somewhat undeservedly took the lead with their first shot on target in the 51st minute. Lionel Messi's shot hit Juan Bernat and fell into the path of Neymar. The Brazilian attacker rounded Reims goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf before slotting home.
Reims thought they had won a penalty in the 54th minute when Florian Balogun was brought down in the Parisians' box by Marquinhos. However, the Arsenal loanee was adjudged to have been offside. Yet, PSG weren't out of the doghouse as Marco Veratti was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ito in the build-up. The Italian had only been on the pitch for 14 minutes, having come on at half-time.
Achraf Hakimi thought he had slotted home a Parisian second in the 64th minute, but the Moroccan was offside. PSG improved after Verratti's sending-off as they were more composed on the ball and controlled the tempo. Messi should have sealed all three points in the 82nd minute after Mbappe's clever pass found him. He placed his right-footed shot just wide of Diouf's goal.
However, the Parc des Princes were stunned in the 90+6th minute when Reims raced forward on the counter. Balogun used his pace to beat Donnarumma to the ball and fired home a dramatic equalizer. Will Still's side's impressive unbeaten run of 12 league games continues. Meanwhile, the Parisians hold a three-point lead over second-placed Lens.
Here's how Twitter reacted to a nervy win for the Ligue 1 leaders:
Balogun equalizer against psgggg damnnnnnnn
GOOOOOAL! 1-0! @neymarjr opens the scoring!
#PSGSDR https://t.co/R2ntZzW0q3
If you ask me #Neymar seems to be the only person playing for PSG right now they're trash
🧿Each goal of Neymar ~ https://t.co/7dBFntpwOa
Messi and Mbappe wasting Neymar’s assists 🙃
@goal @neymarjr @PSG_English Neymar for:
PSG. Vs. Brazil https://t.co/aKsn1HX4wj
How do PSG expect to beat Bayern playing like this? twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Mbappe and Messi still playing poorly, i hope they are saving all their best play for bayern
Neymar best player for psg so far
This Messi disaster class has been one for the ages. Ronaldo must be so proud. Just hope he gets a tap in to cap it off.
everyone is poor Man 🤦@Ani7ii Midfield lacks creativity. Mbappe ghosting 😔 everyone is poor Man 🤦
This psg team is so poor. Messi is just wasting his time there.
verratti came into the game played for a few minutes and got a red card 😭 https://t.co/zVBGPYJYM1
Verratti after being on the pitch for 13 minutes https://t.co/hx33qFDV9k
Marco Verratti after 13 minutes and 15 seconds
3 - Three fastest Paris' substitutes to be sent off in a Ligue 1 game since Opta collect these data (2006-07) :
🥇David Beckham after 9 minutes and 21 seconds
🥈Layvin Kurzawa after 12 minutes and 46 seconds
🆕Marco Verratti after 13 minutes and 15 seconds
Off. #PSGSDR https://t.co/fEUQMzX1Vl
Folarin Balogun’s runs, movement and awareness so far against PSG have been brilliant. He has been great all season in Ligue 1 to be fair so it’s not surprising. He has so much potential.
PSG getting outplayed by Reims
The WC has not been good for them #PSGReims
messi and mbappe stinking up the pitch WHEW
and galtier still thinks we don’t need new defenders💀💀
Sorti de Neymar Jr, unique buteur du soir ! 🇧🇷
Homme du match ? https://t.co/DlAp5Ff0fw
Messi is finished, move to Saudi Arabia pal
@GFFN Reims actually been the much better side. Impressed by them.
Balogun again!
Injury time equaliser away at PSG. What a season he’s having.
Folarin Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, with an excellently timed run and finish to equalise for Reims in the last second at Paris Saint-Germain! Perfectly timed run and really composed finish. Reims earn the draw they thoroughly deserved!
Balogun dagger on Psg https://t.co/jwE1F9EOtI
WILL STILL'S ON FIRE
PSG have €10 million bid for Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar rejected
Skriniar is heading to the Parc des Princes next summer as PSG are close to having reached a pre-contract agreement with the defender, per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. However, the Parisians are looking to lure the Slovakian to Ligue 1 this month.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG have made an offer of €10 million for Skriniar. This has been rejected by Inter, who are aiming for €20 million to part with their centre-back.
The Nerazzurri were confident Skriniar would sign a new deal last summer when they turned down €60 million from the Paris giants for the defender. However, the Slovakian has not extended his contract and is set to become a PSG player next season.
He has been at Inter since 2017, when he joined the club from Sampdoria for €37 million. He has made 242 appearances for the Italian side, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists.
Skriniar's arrival at the Parc des Princes will enthuse fans as Galtier will strengthen his defense, which has already been impressive this season. If he arrives this month, the Slovakian will give Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, and Presnel Kimpembe healthy competition.