Messi regales, Ramos starts, Neymar worries

It was a mixed afternoon that PSG experienced Sunday under the snow of Forez: the untouchable leader of L1 won 3-1 in numerical superiority, with a hat-trick of assists from Lionel Messi and the greats Parisian debut of rookie Sergio Ramos.

Something to bounce back from the recent European underperformance against Manchester City (2-1).

But Neymar's injury casts a shadow on the board.

The Brazilian, victim of an impressive twist of the left ankle after an opponent's tackle, screamed in pain before going out on a stretcher and in tears.

We will have to see how long he is unavailable but this injury is a blow to PSG as a tough run in Ligue 1 approaches: Nice on Wednesday, Lens next weekend, Monaco in two weeks ...

“Unfortunately these setbacks are part of the life of an athlete,” reacted on Instagram the Brazilian striker, who left the stadium on crutches.

"Now that's the way it is, you have to raise your head and move on. I will come back better and stronger."

This injury would almost eclipse the victory of the Parisians, jostled in a Geoffroy-Guichard stadium behind closed doors, until the severe exclusion of Timothée Kolodziejczak (45th) who left the Greens to ten.

And despite the many parades of goalkeeper Etienne Green, Paris reversed the score thanks to Marquinhos (45th + 2, 90th + 1) and Di Maria (79th), on three offerings from Messi.

PSG star Neymar leaves the lawn on a stretcher, injured against Saint-Etienne in Geoffroy-Guichard, November 28, 2021 Jeff PACHOUD AFP

"I am happy with the performance of the whole team and the efforts of all the players, especially Lionel Messi who helped us win the match," commented coach Mauricio Pochettino, weakened this week by rumors of departure.

Unstoppable Rennes, Lyon is learning to travel again

Rennes is decidedly the team in form of this Ligue 1 and the Breton club followed in Lorient (2-0), which allows it to climb to second place in the standings (28 pts) behind PSG (40 pts).

The Rennes, irresistible, remain on 13 consecutive matches without defeat in all competitions.

At the Moustoir, the inevitable Gaëtan Laborde struck again: already author of a treble Thursday in the Europa League Conference against Vitesse Arnhem (3-3), the center forward scored his 9th goal of the season in L1 of a small ball stung above the goalkeeper (75th), before a second goal signed Jérémy Doku (78th).

Belgian striker Jérémy Doku celebrates his goal, the 2nd in Rennes, with Hamari Traoré against Lorient at Moustoir, November 28, 2021 Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS AFP

In the race for European places, Lyon finally won an L1 away match on Sunday in Montpellier (1-0), three months after its last success away from its bases in the league!

A goal from Lucas Paqueta, opportunistic after an attempt by Islam Slimani on the crossbar (17th), was enough for the happiness of OL, which goes back to 7th place, a week after the interruption of the OL-OM match for supporters overflows.

Bad operation, however, for Monaco, who shared the points with Strasbourg (1-1) at home, with two penalties from Wissam Ben Yedder (45th + 1) then Ludovic Ajorque (48th).

Bordeaux is scuttled, Reims is tearing itself apart

Incredible disillusionment for Bordeaux who scuttled at home, while the Girondins led 1-0 after the opening scoring of the Norwegian Stian Gregersen (42nd).

But on a gross blunder by Ricardo Mangas, Jérémy Le Douaron equalized without forcing (59th), before signing a double with composure (66th).

This is a new setback for Vladimir Petkovic's team, who have won only one of their last nine matches ...

Reims defender Ghislain Konan is congratulated by his goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic during the reception of Clermont, November 28, 2021 FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI AFP

Conversely, Brest (18 pts) continues its momentum: it is the fourth victory in a row for Michel Der Zakarian's team, now 12th in the standings.

At the bottom of the table, Reims defeated Clermont (1-0) with a missile from Ghislain Konan (90th + 1) and climbs back to 14th place, three points ahead of the promoted Auvergne, 18th and barrage, who concedes his fifth defeat in a row.

© 2021 AFP