Neymar scores ahead of ban as PSG shakes off slump

Paris St Germain’s Neymar in action with Angers’ Baptiste Santamaria during the Ligue 1 match between Angers and Paris St Germain, at Stade Raymond Kopa, in Angers, France, on May 11, 2019. Photo: Reuters

PARIS: Playing likely his final match this season in the French league, Neymar scored and delivered an assist as Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers 2-1 Saturday to shake off its season-end slump.

Neymar put PSG ahead with a diving header in the first half and then set up Angel Di Maria’s goal in the 58th minute. Flavien Tait pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot two minutes from time after PSG defender Marquinhos was sent off for grasping forward Wilfried Kanga round the waist.

Neymar was this week given a three-game ban — which starts Monday — for lashing out at a fan following a loss to Rennes on penalties in the French Cup final. The French soccer federation’s disciplinary commission added a suspended two-match ban to its punishment.

PSG and Neymar have announced they will appeal the ban, which rules him out of his team’s last two games this season. The Brazil forward will also miss the Champions Trophy between the French champions and the French Cup winners on Aug. 3 if PSG’s appeal is unsuccessful.

Already crowned champion, PSG had managed just one win in its last seven games in all competitions ahead of Saturday’s trip to western France, and had failed to win its last three matches.

Under a bright sun, Thomas Tuchel’s team did not impress but the result came as a relief.

“We did not play well these past few weeks, it was important to win,” Di Maria said through a translator. “The mindset was better too.”

PSG dominated possession early on but only managed to create half-chances at a pedestrian pace.

Angers was more inspired and had an excellent chance to break the deadlock in the 16th minute when Stephane Bahoken found some space between two defenders to connect with a cross from Tait. Alone in front of PSG ’keeper Gianluigi Buffon, Bahoken timed his shot well but the former Italy international made a superb reflex save.

Against the run of play, PSG took the lead four minutes later after Angers players gave the ball away and failed to track back. PSG launched a quick attack and Dani Alves’ chipped cross inside the box found Neymar, who scored his 34th league goal with a fine header.

Neymar turned provider near the hour mark following a series of dribbles down the left. The former Barcelona player then crossed the ball back to the unmarked Di Maria, who headed it home.

Behind PSG, Lille has already likely secured an automatic place in next season’s Champions League. The northern side has a six-point lead over third-place Lyon ahead of Sunday’s home match against Bordeaux. Lyon travels to Marseille.

MONACO LOSES AGAIN

With a 1-0 loss at Nimes, 17th-place Monaco slumped to its third league defeat in four matches.

With two rounds left, the 2017 champions remain level on points with 18th-place Caen in the fight for safety. A playoff between the club which finishes 18th and the team ending third in the second division is held at the end of the season.

Caen beat Reims 3-2 and has a two-point lead over Dijon. Last-place Guingamp is six points further back ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rennes.

Winless since mid-March, Monaco hosts Amiens and then faces a trip to Riviera rival Nice in its last game.

Renaud Ripart scored the winner for Nimes.

OTHER RESULTS

Amiens and Toulouse drew 0-0, Dijon beat Strasbourg 2-1, and Nice and Nantes finished 1-1.