PSG 2-0 Lens Player Ratings: Vitinha 9.5/10 Rated as Barcola Brace Secures Comfortable 2-0 Victory

A dominant performance from the defending champions PSG saw them cruise to a 2-0 victory over Lens at the Parc des Princes. The hosts were in control from the first whistle to the last. This was largely thanks to a midfield masterclass from a certain Portuguese maestro. The visitors never really got a foothold in the match. Vitinha was simply untouchable, dictating the entire flow of the game and providing two crucial assists. It felt like he was playing a different sport at times.

Bradley Barcola provided the clinical edge, ruthlessly dispatching his two chances to put the game to bed. While Lens huffed and puffed, their final product was sorely lacking, epitomized by some frankly shocking misses from their front man. It was a comfortable day at the office for PSG as they laid down a marker in Ligue 1. Here are the PSG vs Lens player ratings.

PSG Player Ratings vs Lens

Here are the PSG player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Lucas Chevalier - 7.5: Had a relatively quiet evening but did everything required of him. Made three saves, including two from inside the box, to secure his clean sheet. What stood out to us was his confident handling and quick distribution.

Defenders

Achraf Hakimi - 7.0: A typically energetic performance from the captain. He was a constant outlet on the right flank and created a couple of decent chances. Defensively, he wasn't tested too much but did his job when called upon, winning his only tackle.

Lucas Beraldo - 7.0: Looked incredibly comfortable on the ball until his unfortunate injury. His pass accuracy of 98% tells the story of his composure in possession. He won both his tackles and read the game well. We hope the injury that forced him off isn't too serious.

Ilya Zabarnyi - 6.5: A decent enough performance, but he looked a little shaky at times. He was tidy in possession with 90% pass accuracy but lost more duels than he won. Made a few important clearances but was also dribbled past once.

Lucas Hernández - 6.0: This was a strange one to rate. A perfect 100% pass completion is genuinely staggering for a full 90 minutes. However, he lost six of his seven duels, which is a major concern. He was great with the ball at his feet but seemed to struggle with the physical battles.

Midfielders

Vitinha - 9.5: Absolutely sensational. The undisputed man of the match and the highest-rated player on the pitch. He ran the entire game, providing two brilliant assists and creating four chances. His passing range was sublime, and he barely put a foot wrong all evening. A true midfield masterclass that was a joy to watch.

Kang-in Lee - 6.5: A busy but ultimately frustrating evening for the South Korean. He was involved in the build-up play and had a couple of shots, but his influence faded before he was forced off with an injury. Recovered the ball six times, showing his work rate off the ball.

Warren Zaïre-Emery - 8.0: What a talent. His energy and drive from midfield were outstanding. He completed all four of his dribble attempts and won three tackles, showcasing his all-action style. He was a dynamic presence, constantly breaking lines and causing problems before being substituted.

Forwards

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - 6.0: We barely got to see him. Looked lively in the opening half-hour, drawing fouls and getting into dangerous positions. His evening was cut short by an injury, which was a real shame as he looked poised to make an impact. Hard to give a higher rating with so few minutes played.

Gonçalo Ramos - 7.0: He worked tirelessly leading the line. Didn't get his goal, but he had two shots on target and linked up play nicely. Picked up a silly yellow card for simulation, which was the only real blot on his copybook. A selfless performance for the team.

Bradley Barcola - 9.0: The match-winner. Two shots on target, two goals. You cannot ask for more clinical finishing than that. His first goal from distance was spectacular, and his second was a calm finish that sealed the game. A phenomenal display of pure goalscoring instinct.

Substitutes

Ibrahim Mbaye - 6.5: Came on early for the injured Kvaratskhelia and had a shot saved almost immediately. Looked lively but his final product was a bit hit-and-miss.

Senny Mayulu - 6.0: Replaced Lee and was involved, but couldn't quite find the final pass or shot to make a decisive impact.

Nuno Mendes - 6.5: Slotted in seamlessly at the back after Beraldo's injury, ensuring there were no late defensive lapses.

Fabián Ruiz - N/A: Came on late with little time to influence the game.

João Neves - N/A: A late introduction to see out the comfortable win.

Manager

L. Martínez García - 8.0: His team was set up perfectly to dominate possession and control the game. His tactics nullified any threat from Lens and allowed his creative players to flourish. Managed the game and his substitutions well, even with the forced injury changes. A very comfortable victory for the manager.

Lens Player Ratings vs PSG

Here are the Lens player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Robin Risser - 7.0: He can hold his head high despite conceding two goals. Made four saves, including three from inside the box, to prevent a much heavier defeat. He couldn't have done much about either of Barcola's excellent strikes.

Defenders

Samson Baidoo - 6.0: Had a tough evening against PSG's fluid attack. He made an impressive three blocked shots, which were crucial. However, he was part of a defence that was opened up too easily for both goals. A perfect passing record is a positive, but he was under pressure all night.

Malang Sarr - 6.5: Probably the best of a struggling backline. He won five of his seven duels and made three tackles and three interceptions. That last-man tackle was a crucial intervention. Despite his efforts, the defence was breached, but he personally put in a solid shift.

Jonathan Gradit - 5.5: He fought hard, winning five duels and making a number of tackles and interceptions. But he struggled to contain the movement of the PSG forwards. He was often reactive rather than proactive in his defending.

Midfielders

Ruben Aguilar - 7.0: One of Lens' few bright sparks in attack. He created three chances, including one big chance, and was a constant threat down the right before being subbed. His delivery was on point, and he tried to make things happen. It was a surprise to see him taken off, to be honest.

Mamadou Sangaré - 5.0: He was completely overrun in midfield. While he recovered the ball six times, he also lost possession 10 times which is far too many in the middle of the park. He struggled to get to grips with the movement and passing of Vitinha and Zaïre-Emery.

Matthieu Udol - 5.5: Worked hard but had little impact on the game. He was neat enough in possession but offered little going forward and was bypassed too easily at times. Lost possession six times and struggled to impose himself on the match before his substitution.

Adrien Thomasson - 5.5: The captain tried to lead by example with his work rate, but it was a frustrating evening. He lost possession 11 times and his creative spark was missing. A shot off target was the sum of his attacking contribution. He just couldn't get into the game.

Forwards

Florian Thauvin - 6.0: He was one of the few Lens players who looked capable of creating something. He had two shots on target and created a couple of chances. However, he also picked up a yellow card and lost the ball 12 times. There was effort, but the end product just wasn't there.

Odsonne Édouard - 4.0: A shocking performance. An early yellow card set the tone for a miserable night. The two big chances he missed were criminal, especially at this level. Those misses completely killed any chance of Lens getting back into the contest.

Morgan Guilavogui - 5.0: Hooked at halftime after a completely anonymous first 45 minutes. He had just 26 touches and completed only seven passes. He offered no threat whatsoever and his substitution was unsurprising.

Substitutes

Abdallah Sima - 6.0: Came on at halftime and showed some energy, but couldn't change the course of the game.

Saud Abdulhamid - 5.5: Replaced the effective Aguilar and failed to have the same impact going forward.

Rayan Fofana - 6.0: Looked lively and had a few speculative shots from distance but never truly tested the keeper.

Anthony Bermont - N/A: Little time to make a mark.

Wesley Saïd - N/A: Brought on late with the game already lost.

Manager

P. Sage - 5.0: His team looked second-best in every department. The game plan seemed to be to contain PSG, but they failed to do that and offered very little going forward. His substitutions didn't change the flow of the game, and his team looked bereft of ideas. A tough lesson for him and his side.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Vitinha