Heroic Matuidi sinks Metz as PSG catch Monaco
paris — Blaise Matuidi scored a 93rd-minute winner as Paris SaintGermain recovered from throwing away a two-goal lead to beat Metz 3-2 on Tuesday and move level with Ligue 1 leaders Monaco.
Edinson Cavani netted his 30th league goal of the season and Matuidi quickly added a second at the Stade Saint-Symphorien as PSG sought to crank up the pressure on Monaco.
But Yann Jouffre pulled a goal back with 12 minutes to play before fellow substitute Cheick Diabate prodded home an 88thminute equaliser, with Jouffre then crashing another free-kick against the crossbar. However France midfielder Matuidi grabbed his second of the game deep into stoppage time to keep the defending champions right on the heels of Monaco, who have a game in hand on Unai Emery’s team.
“We were scared at the end, we’re not going to hide that,” said Matuidi.
“I think at times we lacked a bit of respect for our opponents. You have to be careful of that because there are teams who are fighting to stay up and won’t give anything up.
“To be champions others have to let up a bit. We don’t give presents, Monaco don’t do it and nor do Nice. We can’t relax. “It’s three more points today, we’re happy and it’s a huge sigh of relief.” PSG could provisionally go top of the table when they host Montpellier on Saturday, with Monaco facing Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday before Sunday’s trip to fourth-placed Lyon.
The capital club are hunting a third successive sweep of the domestic trophies and should have gone ahead against Metz on 24 minutes when Lucas somehow failed to convert Maxwell’s low cross. —