PSG bounce back from League Cup exit with win at Amiens
PARIS, France (AFP) — Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe scored as Paris Saint-germain (PSG) responded to their shock, midweek League Cup defeat by claiming a 3-0 win at Amiens yesterday to move 13 points clear at the Ligue 1 summit.
PSG had seen their bid for a sixth-straight League Cup title ended in midweek by struggling Guingamp at Parc des Princes, but were too strong for a dogged Amiens.
The reigning French champions remain unbeaten after 18 games of the league season, and sit 13 points ahead of second-placed Lille, with two games in hand.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel left Neymar out of squad for the trip to the Stade de la Licorne to rest a sore knee, and his side struggled to create any chances of note in a drab first half.
“He had pain in his knee and couldn’t feel free in his movements,” said Tuchel. “He’s been with us since January 4.
“He’s played two games. It was too risky (to play). It’s more important that he’s not hurt and he can do a week (training) with us in Doha.”
At 0-2 down, Amiens’ hopes of getting something from the game had long vanished when PSG centre back Marquinhos ventured forward to divert home Julian Draxler’s cutback to make it three with 11 minutes to play.
On Friday, Lille had consolidated second spot with a 3-1 win at Caen, while thirdplaced Lyon were held at home by Reims.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas could make his debut for Thierry Henry’s struggling Monaco at Marseille today, after joining on a three-anda-half year deal from Chelsea.