Paris is perhaps the most productive city for player development in the world. But could you beat one of the richest, most global clubs in football using only players from the City of Lights? Martin Vert has been set that challenge.
Spirits are high as we head into February, including my own. We are proving our credentials in Ligue 2, and it’s only our second season at this level. Our Parisian-only team is talented, but a little lacking in depth and massively overperforming. That being said, our finances are great, and we will continue to improve every year, so to be doing so well already is very promising.
It would be nice to add a trophy to that promise, and the Coupe de France looks much more likely than catching PSG in the league anytime soon. But Lyon stand in our way, and despite our recent record, Lyon are very, very good. However, since our last meeting, their injury list has only got longer, and alongside Denayer and Marc Roca they have also lost Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta and Marcelo Allende, which means we’ve got a good chance again.
Well that’s disappointing. We are typically solid, but struggle to create what with resting a few players, so getting to half time goalless felt like we had done well. Lyon are limited to just a few chances and Daclinat goes close by striking early from the edge of the box. We push on a little in the second half, and the game opens up. We look the better but can’t find the finish, and then 15 minutes from time Julian Brandt, one of Lyon’s many un-injured quality players, drives between the centre-backs and drills into the bottom corner. We try to get back into it, but to no avail, and our cup campaign is over early.
Next is a tricky league fixture against Monaco. They are hovering just below the European places, but have are paying huge wages to Ousmane Dembele and Myron Boadu and need to justify them with European football. With Aurlien Tchouameni and Riqui Puig too, they are a good side, although they are a little top-heavy. I trust us to nick a goal against a weaker defence, and we’ll try to limit their quality forward players.
It almost works out exactly as planned. We are solid and limit them, and Brahimi gives us an early lead when he gets onto the end of Farrugia’s through ball – the Irishman wants more game time, and as one of only two Parisians who are “model citizens” I’m eager to keep him (especially as the other is way-beyond-my-price-range N’Golo Kante…). And then we settle in for the ride. Tattevin has a couple of chances, but Monaco push forward. We hold them until, again, 15 minutes from time when Largie Ramazani finally breaks through our lines and beats Fofana. We flood forward, but we can’t retake the lead. A point is a point though, and we’ll have to make do with it.
We can make it up to the fans with a trip to Montpellier. Olivier Dall’Oglio left it late in the transfer window, but made four deadline day signings to try and turn a damp squib of a season into something more. Really they are much more likely to be in the relegation fight then challenging the European places. Another three points would go a long way to a second Champions League campaign, being so far ahead as we get toward the final period of the season.
Wowee what a performance. When I said we could make it up to the fans, I meant with one of our traditional, hard-fought, stodgy Red Star wins. I did not reckon with whatever Arnaud Tattevin had for breakfast this morning. When Farrugia puts him through for his first on 22 minutes, he rounds the keeper and slots home and it’s business as usual. When Mukelenge sets up his second, it’s a good performance. I pull everyone back at half time to defend the lead, but he hasn’t had enough. On 67 Sissoko plays a lovely through ball from deep that bends round, and he finishes first time. Farrugia and Traore combine on 75 for our fourth, but Tattevin is determined to have the last word, and on 86 minutes he is bundled over in the box. He picks himself up, dusts himself off, and fires home for his fourth and our fifth. What a day!
Metz are only a little above Montpellier and in a similar situation; within touching distance of the European places, but without a realistic chance of getting into them. Leonard Zuta joined from Valarenga in January to strengthen their left side, but we should be better than them. We couldn’t be 5-0 better again though, could we?
Ok, so hear me out. I really think we are 5-0 better here as well. I know the scoreline doesn’t bear that out, but we were utterly dominant, totally in control, and Fofana never drawn into real service. It’s just that with the game won and Metz not offering much, I took the chance to take off two of our more influential players to give the youngsters a run out. Brahimi was exceptional today though, and on 33 minutes he finds Traore to smash home. Four minutes later, he finds Fomba who does the same. And in the second half, he crosses for Tattevin to nod in a third. On top of that he could have had a couple himself but was thwarted.
Two dominant wins are a much better way to end the month than the difficult way in which we started it. While it’s disappointing not to be competing for the Coupe de France, something that may end up unsettling Yahia Fofana again, it has allowed us to focus on our league campaign. We are 15 points clear in the Champions League places, and 14 behind PSG. Who we happen to be playing in March…
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