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Lo Celso seals PSG win at Bordeaux

Lo Celso seals PSG win at Bordeaux

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Publish on 04/22 at 00:00 - S. WILLIS

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Giovani Lo Celso scored the only goal of the game as newly crowned Ligue 1 Conforama champions Paris Saint-Germain triumphed 1-0 at Girondins de Bordeaux on Sunday to edge closer to the top-flight points record.

 Girondins de Bordeaux 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain Logo Paris Saint-Germain

THE MATCH
Having won through to the Coupe de France final in midweek, PSG can complete a domestic quadruple again, but they also have ambitions of bettering the points record for a Ligue 1 Conforama season of 96 they themselves set in 2015/16.

Unai Emery had promised his side would remain focussed on their remaining league games despite having wrapped up the title last weekend, and Lo Celso's early shot — that forced a Benoît Costil save — was proof the champions had heeded their coach's words.

Bordeaux, however, also have something to play for in the shape of potentially qualifying for European competition next season. Gustavo Poyet's men would have gone in front but for a fine stop from Alphonse Areola from Martin Braithwaite's header (19') before François Kamano headed just wide (20').

Cavani denied

PSG enjoyed two-thirds possession, but a Javier Pastore drive that flashed narrowly past the target (43') was as close as they came before the break; they were closer just after it when the Argentina international picked out Edinson Cavani. The Uruguay international looked to have scored his 114th and club record league goal for PSG, but the offside flag was up (48').

In front of a record crowd at the Matmut Atlantique of more than 41,000, Bordeaux — who had won their previous two outings — were buoyed, and Braithwaite again raised Parisian pulses as the Denmark international fired past a post with Areola beaten (51').

Stunning save

The PSG 'keeper was at the heart of the pivotal minutes of the match as his stunning reflex save from a Pablo header denied the hosts what looked like being the lead (74') before the visitors promptly broke the deadlock — and won the game — at the other end.

Lo Celso had scored twice in last weekend's title-clinching rout of AS Monaco, and the promising young midfielder found the net again, smashing home a shot after Cavani had touched a corner on (77').

Kamano (78'), Nicolas de Préville (83') and Gaëtan Laborde (84') all might have salvaged a point for the hosts, but PSG held on for the win, even if it took a superbly timed block from Yuri Berchiche in added time to deny Jules Koundé (90+3') what looked like being a certain equaliser.

THE PLAYER: Giovani Lo Celso
The 22-year-old is coming into his own in the late stages of the season. He has added goals to his performances now, and his displays for PSG have given a mouthwatering glimpse of his enormous potential. There is surely so much more to come next season.

THE STAT: 104
PSG have now hit 104 league goals this season. They have already beaten the previous club record of 102 set in 2015/16, and are hunting down the all-time single season record of 118 with four matches left.


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