PSG suffer setback in title march

Paris St Germain’s title march towards the Ligue 1 title suffered another setback when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.

The capital side, who only have the league to salvage a disappointing season after being knocked out of the French Cup and the Champions League, fell victim of Bradley Barcola’s second-half goal and were left on 66 points from 29 games.

They lead second-placed RC Lens, who beat Stade Rennais 1-0 away on Saturday, by six points with third-placed Olympique de Marseille also on 60 points after a 1-1 draw with Montpellier.

Earlier on Sunday, fourthplaced Monaco moved within three points of Marseille after a spectacular 4-3 home victory against Racing Strasbourg. Lyon are ninth on 44 points. The clash between PSG and Lyon started 10 minutes late after Laurent Blanc’s side faced transportation issues.

“We could not go under a bridge so we drove all around Paris,” OL assistant coach Ludovic Giuly said.

Lyon were awarded a penalty when Gianluigi Donnarumma made contact with Alexandre Lacazette in the area after a sharp counterattack from the visitors.

Lacazette, however, hit the Italian keeper’s right-hand post for the French striker’s first miss from the spot this season.

PSG, who had their best chance in the opening half through Renato Sanches, were denied a penalty themselves on the stroke of the interval despite Dejan Lovren’s handball and they fell behind on 56 minutes.

Barcola connected with Sael Kumbedi’s cross to finish it off with a soft crossed shot to give Lyon the advantage.

PSG could not manage a shot on target before Hugo Ekitike’s attempt was blocked by Anthony Lopes while Kylian Mbappe failed to make an impact.

OL will head into tomorrow’s French Cup semifinal full of confidence.