After two draws against Lorient before the break (1-1) and Lyon (1-1), Paris has a second success after that against Brest (2-0) last weekend.

Mauricio Pochettino's team retains an 11-point lead over runner-up Nice.

The return of star rookie Lionel Messi was overshadowed by a very attacking Marco Verratti and a Sergio Ramos goalscoring for the first time with Paris.

After four and a half years without scoring in Ligue 1, Verratti first relieved his teammates by opening the scoring just before the break, after a first period in which the Rémois stood up to the Parisians.

If Paris put their foot on the ball in the first quarter of an hour, Reims then did not just wait, exerting high pressure.

After a header from Danilo slightly above (23rd) on a corner from Angel Di Maria, Bradley Locko responded with an uncontrolled shot (28th) captured by Keylor Navas, holder in the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, forfeited in due to calf discomfort.

Hugo Ekitiké, back after two suspension matches, also called on the Costa Rican goalkeeper four minutes later (36th).

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé had stumbled on Pedrag Rajkovic (32nd) before wrapping his shot too much (34th).

Verratti, the long wait

It was finally Marco Verratti who ended up finding the framework, he who is often criticized for not trying his luck.

Thanks to a strike from the left post returning (1-0, 44th), the Italian scored his first goal in Ligue 1 since May 6, 2017 and a victory against Bastia (5-0).

This is his 10th goal in the Paris jersey in all competitions.

PSG metronome Marco Verratti, double scorer against Reims at the Parc des Princes, January 23, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

When they returned from the locker room, the Rémois did not give up, like Dion Lopi who found the gloves of Navas (56th).

But they were punished again when Ramos came to score his first goal in the Parisian jersey on receipt of a corner hit by Angel Di Maria.

Customary of the goals of the head in this exercise, it is with the foot and at close range that the Spanish defender scored (2-0, 61st).

A goal scored just before Lionel Messi (63rd) came into play.

Contaminated by Covid-19 during the winter break, the Argentinian had not played since the meeting in Lorient on December 22 (1-1).

But a few minutes later, it was again Verratti who stood out.

The Italian did it again with a shot from the right (67th, 3-0) deflected by Rémois Wout Faes.

On its website, the League reported an own goal, unlike the Amazon Prime broadcaster who attributed it to the Parisian midfielder.

After an overflow and a cross from Mbappé, Faes again deflected a shot, that on target from Danilo for the 4-0 (76th).

Sergio Ramos exults after his goal during Paris' big success against Reims at the Parc des Princes, January 23, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

The Parisians even almost added a fifth by Mauro Icardi, finally invalidated for a hand from the Argentinian (85th).

Three weeks before the shock in the Champions League against Real Madrid, all the lights are green for Paris, which has found its star Messi and a bit of showmanship.

© 2022 AFP