Three days before the Champions League semi-final first leg against FC Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain picked up a 3-0 victory in Ligue 1 away to Angers SCO. Kang-Inn Lee (7th minute), Senny Mayulu (39’) and Lucas Beraldo (52’) fired PSG to a fourth win in their last five league games, which extended the 13-time French champions’ lead at the top of the table. After 30 matchdays, they have a six-point cushion over second-placed RC Lens.
Head coach Luis Enrique saw the 3-0 win as the perfect way to warm-up for Tuesday night’s clash. “When you get a result like this, it’s the best preparation for a Champions League semi-final,” said the Spaniard, adding: “We’re ready.” Goalscorer Beraldo also stressed that his team have gained confidence for the first leg against FCB. “That was very important today.”
Enrique rotated heavily ahead of the European heavyweight clash, with attacking stars Ousmane Dembélé (16 goals and assists in the league) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (11) staying on the bench for 90 minutes. Other key players like Achraf Hakimi, Fabián Ruiz and João Neves, who are likely to start against Bayern, only played one half. What’s more, Nuno Mendes made his comeback from a thigh injury, the 23-year-old left-back coming on in the closing stages. However, midfielder Vitinha, who’s currently nursing a heel injury, missed out again and it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese will be available for Tuesday.
PSG line-up against Angers: Safonov – Hakimi (Dro 46’), Zabarnyi, Pacho, Hernández (Zaïre-Emery 46’) – Mayulu (Mendes 72’), Lucas Beraldo, Fabian (João Neves 46’) – Lee, Ramos, Barcola (Mbaye 63’).
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