PSG Dominates Saint-Etienne While Marseille Falls To Reims

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain overwhelmed Saint-Etienne 6-1 and moved within touching distance of a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title on Saturday. PSG was 22 points ahead of Marseille with seven games left, and they are guaranteed the title if Monaco and Nice draw in Saturday's late game.

Saint-Etienne took an early lead with a well-worked goal when Swedish forward Lucas Stassin headed in Zuriko Davitashvili’s left-wing cross. However, PSG responded just before halftime, with Gonçalo Ramos equalizing from the penalty spot after a foul in the area.

After the break, PSG turned the tide decisively. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired PSG ahead, and Désiré Doué scored twice either side of a João Neves goal. The rout was completed in the 90th minute when 17-year-old substitute Ibrahim Mbaye netted his first goal for PSG.

Earlier in the day, Marseille faced a harsh reality check, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Reims. Japan forward Keito Nakamura gave Reims a surprise lead in the 29th minute, curling the ball into the net for his ninth league goal. Reims doubled their lead shortly after halftime, with Nakamura providing the assist for Mamadou Diakhon, who rounded the last defender before finishing emphatically.

Marseille, struggling for form, saw Valentin Atangana add a third goal for Reims before Valentin Rongier scored a late consolation goal. This defeat marked Marseille's fourth loss in five games, leaving them 19 points behind PSG in second place.

Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed frustration with his teammates' attitude, stating, “It's just not good enough. I get the impression of watching guys who don't want to play in the Champions League next season.” His comments reflect a growing concern about the team's mentality as they approach the final stretch of the season.

The match also saw several thousand Saint-Etienne fans protesting against French interior minister Bruno Retailleau's plan to dissolve the club's two main ultras groups, the Magic Fans and the Green Angels. Carrying a giant green banner reading "Le Chaudron Ne Se Dissout Pas" (The Cauldron Does Not Dissolve), the fans were joined by club president Ivan Gazidis, who criticized the government's actions.

“I am very happy to see our city united,” Gazidis said. “It’s a wonderful response to this unfair process that will resolve nothing.” The protests come amid a backdrop of reported soccer-related violence at 64 matches this season, leading to 627 arrests.

As the season approaches its climax, PSG is on the verge of another title, while Marseille's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hang by a thread. With the race for European spots heating up, every match counts, and teams are feeling the pressure.

In the match against Reims, Marseille started brightly, dominating possession early on. Mason Greenwood emerged as their most dangerous player, but despite his efforts, the team failed to convert chances. They were punished when Nakamura found the net, and Reims capitalized on Marseille's defensive lapses to secure their first league win since November.

“We knew we had to close off the inside passing lanes,” said Reims' Valentin Atangana. “It does us a lot of good against a big team like Marseille, and we deserved it today.”

Marseille's defeat leaves them in a precarious position as they seek to regain form. With the Champions League aspirations fading, the team must regroup quickly to salvage their season.

The action in Ligue 1 continues to unfold, with PSG poised to extend their dominance and other teams battling for crucial points as the season draws to a close. Fans and players alike are eager to see how the final weeks will shape the league's landscape.

As the title race heats up, PSG's performance against Saint-Etienne serves as a reminder of their strength, while Marseille's struggles underscore the challenges they face in the closing weeks. The excitement of Ligue 1 is palpable, and every matchday brings new twists and turns.