PSG lose more than just three points against Nice as Arsenal given major Champions League boost

It appears that both Arsenal and PSG are incapable of executing the best preparation for their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash next week. Both failed to win their preceding matches before the tie, with the Gunners drawing 2-2 to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

However, the bigger shock came on Friday evening as PSG were beaten 3-1 at home by Nice. Their opponents are a good side and are chasing Champions League qualification as the competition heats up between Monaco and Marseille.

That was not the surprise, the shock came from this being the first league match Luis Enrique’s team have lost all season. Furthermore, ahead of the match with Arsenal, Enrique picked his strongest side and the team who many feel would start against the Gunners.

They went a goal down after the defence was split open for Morgan Sanson to begin his terrific night. Gianluigi Donnarumma will not have been pleased as he conceded the first of only three shots on target by the visitors.

Fabian Ruiz did bring the scores level after a lovely chipped ball found the Spaniard to volley in. But Nice managed to score twice more from two crosses, the first volleyed in spectacularly by Sanson with a scissor kick, and then Youssouf Ndayishimiye headed home the decisive strike.

PSG had plenty of chances - 32 shots across the game, 13 on target, with Nice’s Marcin Bulka having the game of his career and showing David Raya what will be expected of him in both ties. Arsenal drew the previous four league games preceding their Champions League matches with PSV and Real Madrid, in which they scored 14 goals, conceding four. It is evident that these matches are not always a sign of what is to come.

However, what this defeat does to PSG is something far worse than maybe any injury. It is a mental blow, and that feeling of invincibility is lost at the worst possible time, which Enrique now has the job of re-establishing in his team.

Finishing has been an issue throughout the season, for both teams in fairness, but we saw at home to Liverpool, when they lost 1-0, 27 shots were taken, of which ten were on target, with none scored. How clinical both sides are will decide the tie, it seems, and Arsenal will hope their strong defensive record will give them the edge.

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