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01/04 16:57 CST PSG beats PFC 2-1 in Paris derby after Marseille loses at home
PSG beats PFC 2-1 in Paris derby after Marseille loses at home
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain stayed one point behind
surprise Ligue 1 leader Lens after beating Paris FC 2-1 on Sunday in the first
capital city derby in French men's league soccer since 1990.
Star forwards Dsir Dou and Ousmane Demble struck for PSG.
Inconsistent Marseille is now eight points behind Lens in third place after
losing 2-0 at home to Nantes earlier Sunday.
The Paris derby was held at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium, which is just 44
meters away from where PFC plays its home games at Stade Jean Bouin since
moving there this season.
PSG wasted a couple of good scoring positions with overly intricate passing
before Dou netted just before halftime, latching onto a pass and clipping the
ball over the right shoulder of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from near the penalty
spot.
Willem Geubbels equalized from the spot in the 51st minute after Illia Zabarnyi
gave away a penalty. But PSG regained the lead two minutes later when Dembl
cut in from the right and his deflected shot beat Trapp, a former PSG
goalkeeper.
Two red cards and a defeat
Marseille had two players sent off in a dismal performance which angered coach
Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian has tried to improve the mentality and concentration of the team
since taking charge last season, but again lamented the same shortcomings.
"We need to look at ourselves. If we play this kind of match, if we don't show
more desire to win, we get what we deserve, which is no better than third
place," he said. "We started the match badly, even with 11 against 11, lacking
energy, lacking what it takes to play."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang went straight into the Marseille starting lineup,
despite only recently playing for Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Marseille fans held a minute's silence before the game at Stade Velodrome in
memory of former Marseille coach Jean-Louis Gasset, who died on Dec. 26 aged
72. Gasset had a brief spell in charge of Marseille in 2024.
After Nantes had an early goal ruled out for offside following a video review,
Marseille midfielder Arthur Vermeeren was shown a straight red card in the 26th
minute for a late tackle on goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
Five minutes later, defender Fabien Centonze gave Nantes the lead when he
tapped in after goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved Matthis Abline's shot.
Marseille's afternoon got worse when midfielder Bilal Nadir was shown a second
yellow card and sent off in the 56th for fouling Deiver Machado from behind
near the halfway line.
New signing Rmy Cabella sealed the win for 16th-placed Nantes with a late
penalty.
Other matches
Substitute Noam Obougou scored a late winner as Le Havre beat Angers 2-1 to
move away from the relegation zone.
Le Havre led through 19-year-old forward Kenny Quetant and Louis Mouton
equalized in the second half.
Last-placed Metz drew 1-1 at Lorient.
Defender Sadibou San put Metz ahead in the first half and Bamba Dieng earned a
point for Lorient with a second-half diving header from Pablo Pagis' cross.
Imposing striker Ludovic Ajorque scored with a backheeled goal from a cross as
Brest beat Auxerre 2-0.
Lens won at Toulouse 3-0 on Friday. -__
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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