Paris (AFP)

Paris SG beat Nice (2-1) to temporarily regain the lead of Ligue 1, at the start of the 25th day, but without Neymar or Angel di Maria, it remains crumbly before going to challenge FC Barcelona on Tuesday.

Three points and zero injuries: PSG respected its roadmap before going to Camp Nou.

Certainly, he did not reach the desired altitude, in the absence of Neymar, Di Maria and Marco Verratti, but this success boosted his morale.

While there was talk of the return of the "curse" following the sudden injuries of "Dima" and "Ney", both unavailable for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Paris found a start of normality.

Goals from Julian Draxler (23rd) and Moise Kean (75th) made it possible to put the debate back on the ground, where PSG is doing quite well this year, with eight successes in ten games.

He even temporarily climbs to first place (54 pts), pending the meetings of Lille (54 pts) and Lyon (52 pts).

Adding to this the absence of new physical glitches, the count is good.

But Nice reminded the Parisians that they were far from their "best form", which coach Mauricio Pochettino imagined before Barça.

The words of the Argentinian technician, spoken during his induction in early January, clashed with the reality of a roller coaster season for PSG, far from their cruising altitude.

- Bourde de Marquinhos -

Kylian Mbappé's teammates suffered again, especially in the second period.

The failed recovery of captain Marquinhos, which allowed Rony Lopes to equalize (50th), symbolized this long air gap which saw the "Gym" dominate.

It took the life-saving help of the crossbar, which repelled the attempt of Amine Gouiri (61st), and all the talent of Mauro Icardi to avoid the crash.

The Argentinian "Goleador" managed a superb throw-in for Kean on the 2-1 goal.

He was already involved in the opener: it was his shot deflected by the post that Draxler extended into the net.

Relaunched by Pochettino, Icardi has returned to "Poche" the confidence he has given him.

Thanks to him, the coach approaches Barcelona freed from the worries of Ligue 1.

But he still has to find the best solution to play without Angel di Maria and Neymar, two of his most successful creators.

Kylian Mbappé, shifted to the left, inherited increased offensive responsibilities, necessarily, but the former Monegasque lacked sharpness (20th, 39th).

The novelty was therefore to start together Kean and Icardi for the first time this season, the Italian, positioned on the right, leaving the axis to the Argentinian.

The action of the winning goal proved him right.

But the lack of opportunities the rest of the time should still question him.

How to animate the game?

The best answer will certainly be the expected return to Camp Nou of Marco Verratti, who missed Nice due to pain in his hip.

Or the Camp Nou air will transcend its players ... in this complicated season, everything will be good for PSG.

© 2021 AFP