Julian Draxler’s headbutt injury time gave Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 home win over Metz and saved the protective champion a fourth consecutive goal.
After wasting the last 1-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich last month, PSG opened their league crusade with a 1-0 loss to Lens followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Marseille on Sunday in which three PSG players were sent off.
PSG ended the attack with nine men after central Abdou Diallo showed a red card for a yellow moment halfway and left-back Juan Bernat led injured towards the end.
After missing a series of opportunities, another shameful setback probably for PSG until Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja couldn’t clear Angel Di Maria’s center from the left.
Opportunist Draxler left home in the 93rd minute to save Coach Thomas Tuchel from more pressure.
“We had a chance to score in the first half, but we missed all our chances,” Tuchel said.
Key midfielder Marco Verratti has been sidelined by a minor injury, while striker Kylian Mbappé is also absent while continuing to recover from the coronavirus.
Mbappé could return for Sunday’s difficult home game against Nice, coach Patrick Vieira said.
PSG also missed Neymar, left-back Layvin Kurzawa and midfielder Leandro Paredes opposed to Metz, who were suspended after being expelled after a timely bramter against Marseille Neymar claims to have been the victim of racist abuse following marseille defense attack Alvaro González.
But the league’s disciplinary committee said Wednesday night that, as of yet, there is insufficient evidence to call the players to a hearing.
The disciplinary committee suspended Kurzawa for six matches, while Neymar and Paredes secured a three-match sanction plus a suspended party.
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