Even without his suspended world champion Lionel Messi, the French soccer champions Paris St. Germain have taken the next step towards defending their title.
Despite the previous fuss over Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia, PSG won 3-1 (1-0) at relegated contenders ES Troyes, extending their lead at the top of the table by one point to six points four rounds before the end of the season. The star ensemble benefited from the 1: 2 (0: 1) of the previous runners-up Olympique Marseille in the pursuit duel with the new PSG hunter RC Lens.
After the embarrassing home bankruptcy a week ago against FC Lorient at basement child Troyes, Paris set the course for victory early on with superstar Kylian Mbappe’s 24th goal of the season (8th). Vitinha (59′) and Fabian Ruiz (86′) made the visitors’ compensation perfect after the break. In the meantime, the hosts had only been able to shorten.
Messi was suspended in connection with his visit to Saudi Arabia shortly after the embarrassment against Lorient by PSG for disciplinary reasons. It is not known when the Argentine will be allowed to return to the team.