PSG get a wake-up call after the Lens defeat, the Parisians have work to do ahead of Lionel Messi’s return

Paris Saint-Germain’s difficult return to home affairs continued with a 3-1 away defeat at RC Lens on Sunday. The Ligue 1 runners-up gave Christophe Galtier’s men a much-needed wake-up call after a dramatic late win against RC Strasbourg Alsace last Wednesday.

Without Neymar at the Stade Bollaert Delelis on suspension, Kylian Mbappe and his team-mates had a tough time, being exposed by a hungry Sang et Or side hot on their heels. Przemyslaw Frankowski put Lens ahead within five minutes, only for Hugo Ekitike, who controversially equalized despite a VAR check for a foul on home goalkeeper Brice Samba ten minutes ago.

Lois Openda restored the lead for Franck Haise’s side just before the half-hour, while veteran defender Sergio Ramos was embarrassed by the lightning-fast Belgium international. Alexis Claude Maurice quickly extended the home lead after three minutes of the second half after a brilliant game from Openda to tee him off.

But more than just the goals, PSG’s second consecutive poor performance will have concerned Galtier, who saw his team saved by a controversial late penalty against Strasbourg. The French champions could have been more than 2-1 down at half-time considering how well Lens played with captain Seko Fofana, particularly impressive.

With 2023 just beginning, PSG still have a lot to do in the next few months if they want to be ready to face Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Lionel Messi set to return to Paris this week after Argentina Success at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and Galtier must get his star-studded squad back into the pre-tournament break rhythm.

Players like Mbappe are expected to get some rest in the Coupe de France next week as third-rate Chateauroux play away on Friday. Messi should return in that game before PSG return to full strength in Ligue 1 against Angers SCO the following midweek and it’s at this point that Galtier really needs to tackle his players.

Before the World Cup, Les Parisiens rode their luck a number of times to remain unbeaten as they would have easily lost to SL Benfica in the Champions League if they both ended in a draw. Stade de Reims also held PSG during this shaky period, so this isn’t even the first form failure this season.

Scoring goals wasn’t that big of a problem as they have scored over 60 times in all competitions. Keeping them out is a major concern now, however, with captain Marquinhos’ form suffering, Ramos essential due to Presnel Kimpembe’s injury and little depth available for Galtier.

However, making such a result only via PSG would be disrespectful to Lens. Haise’s men have been batting above their weight all season and are now four points behind the capital club, which could have been even less had midweek results been different.

There are quality elements in this Sang et Or team like Fofana, Openda, Samba and Facundo Medina, but what supports their current success is Haise’s ability to get the absolute maximum out of them. Good organization on and off the pitch with a clear identity brings a Champions League return closer to reality for the Nordics.

We’re not halfway through the season but Lens are absolutely in the running for the Ligue 1 title and are getting closer to the point where not qualifying for Europe in one form or another is quite unthinkable . If Haise can keep them on track, PSG can’t afford to slip up many more times before the season is over.