Montpellier (AFP)

The Paris SG, long-winded, finally tamed Montpellier (3-1) thanks to its individualities, Neymar in the lead, to obtain a logical victory at the Mosson, Saturday at the 17th day of Ligue 1.

Led until the 74th minute, Thomas Tuchel's team overthrew the Montpellier, who had opened the mark shortly before the break (41st), thanks to three goals from his soloists Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi.

The PSG goes on for the fourth time in a row and can even win the honorary title of fall champion, if Olympique de Marseille does not win in front of Bordeaux Sunday at the end of the 17th day.

Slowing down since its demonstration in front of OM (4-0) at the end of October, Paris still lacked pace, concentration and fluidity, but escaped the trap of the Mosson thanks to its stars Mbappé and Neymar , associated for the second time of the season.

- Folded in seven minutes -

PSG has defeated some demons at Mosson where he had not won since 2015 (1-0) but did not sweep all the palpable waste in his game since the "Clasico" in late October.

Montpellier concede their second defeat of the season at home after a misstep in Rennes (1-0). He brakes his momentum as his ambition, to get bogged down in the soft underbelly of the classification to four lengths of the podium and Lille, where he will play next week.

PSG came across a team very generous and very well organized around its hermetic defense, oiled in its usual pattern (5-3-2).

Until the exclusion of Portuguese defender Pedro Mendes (72nd), following a second warning, he has not found solutions to the highly disciplined Montpellier.

Then Neymar almost toppled a meeting chopped by faults. Eighteen minutes from the end, the Brazilian caused the red of Pedro Mendes, before equalizing a sublime free kick in the middle (74th).

In seven minutes, PSG folded the meeting by scoring two more goals through Kylian Mbappé, well off by Neymar (76), then by Argentinian center Mauro Icardi (81). The French international has cleared Arnaud Souquet, before placing a shot wound in the small net opposite. In the wake, Mbappé offered a perfect center 3rd goal to Icardi, author of a volley cross.

- Kimpembe and Gueye injured -

German coach Thomas Tuchel had innovated in his game plan (4-4-2). He had teamed Argentinian center-forward Icardi and Mbappé in the center, but for a long time the two forwards failed to combine or find space in the tight rearguard of Montpellier.

PSG soon lost international defender Presnel Kimpembe (18th) and Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye (25th), with a thigh injury, and limited the field of action of the German coach.

Neymar, caught in the abrasive vice of the Herault defense, has nevertheless set fire every time he managed to get rid of the very narrow marking of Mendes.

Despite his nerves, the Brazilian star has placed a dangerous free kick, hijacked by Geronimo Rulli (29th). Then on an acceleration in the middle, he offered a great opportunity to Pablo Sarabia, shooting poorly framed (35th).

Patient, well organized, Montpellier played each against thoroughly without really surprising the defense of PSG. Beyond a shot from Andy Delort (9th), he was effective on a corner of Téji Savanier, where the recovery of the head of defender Daniel Congré was deflected by the hand of Paredes between the legs of Navas (41st).

Der Zakarian's team thought they had another victory for Mosson in front of PSG until Neymar came through. And reverse everything.

© 2019 AFP