2025-02-20, 09:24 AM - Word count: 800
After a good point against a strong team on Matchday 1, Paris went into a Week 2 matchup against Inter London with their tails up. While London are definitely not considered the favourites for the minor league, they certainly had a strong off season and boast a young team.
Paris started strong, providing a consistent threat to the London goal, though the London defense frustrated them early. Ultimately, it didn't take long for Paris to break the deadlock after Eric Fish smashed a free-kick from the edge of the box into the top L corner, leaving London GK Takechi stranded, grasping at air.
13' Paris 1 - 0 London
London attempted to get something going, waking up after Paris had gone ahead early. A promising London attack was dealt with well by the Paris defense, and allowed a dangerous counter. Fish and Belmont linked up well down the Paris right hand side, eventually working the ball to Imeinaktok on the edge of the box who forced a strong save. Newcomer Slab Head got the better of his man during the resultant corner, but was unfortunate to put the header wide.
Slab Head finished the half strong, shutting down multiple London attacks before the whistle blew.
HT Paris 1 - 0 London
And Paris looked good for it too, with 61% of the possession and an xG of 0.92 to London's 0.02
Paris started the second half where they left off in the first, on the front foot. Wince put a speculative effort just over the bar, after which a strong clearance denied Belmont.
Another good chance fell Paris' way, with a tussle in the box falling London's way. But wait! The referee is being called over to the monitor! PENALTY to Paris!!
Belmont steps up and cooly slots it away, sending the keeper sprawling to the right while he slipped the ball down the middle.
49' Paris 2 - 0 London
At 2-0 down London decided to wake up and make a game of it, starting to cause problems for the Paris defense.
This culminated in the 66th minute, when midfielder Cue played a through ball to Emerson behind the Paris defense. Now, I'm not saying the refs missed something here, but if you pay close attention to the stream I'm sure you can see Emerson reach up and smack Slab Head in the face as they chase the through ball. Horrible behaviour and a grievous error by the officiating staff, as they allow Emerson to slot the ball home off the inside of the upright.
66' Paris 2 - 1 London
Buoyed by their fortunate first, London found a second gear, quickly winning a free-kick on the edge of the box that clipped the wall and deflected wide for a corner. The resultant corner was taken quickly, and rookie defender Coin Flip rose to beat his man at the front post, clipping the ball towards goal. Aguilera caught flat footed - tied game.
71' Paris 2 - 2 London
At this point, London heads were up and Paris spirits were down. A 2 goal lead had disappeared in the blink of an eye through 2 half chances, and the Paris players looked distracted. This allowed Emerson to find Rodiano Santori who fired across goal to give London their first lead of the game.
80' Paris 2 - 3 London
Inter London players and staff wheeled off in celebration, in disbelief that they had turned this game around. Everyone in the stadium knew what a strong position Paris had squandered, and now it looked like they were going to miss out on the points entirely.
But wait! What's this? Paris have found some confidence on the ball again, working it through the London midfield before finding Greedy McFootcakes wide left. McFootckaes puts an inviting ball into the box, one final chance, but the ball is above the Paris centre forward! Fortunately for Paris, there was nothing the London defense could do to stop Dybala flying in at the back post and smashing the ball across goal, burying it in the bottom corner to rescue Paris and important point.
FT Paris 3 - 3 London
While London will feel like Paris snuck a point at the end, I think Paris were by far the stronger team on the day. London took advantage a few half chances to steal a couple of goals in a shirt period in the second half, but never looked in control. This is reflected in the expected goals total, with Paris leading 2.45 xG to 1.71 xG for London.
Overall, a good point for Paris in the end, given how things looked towards the end, but at the same time, a missed opportunity for a team looking to compete for the title.
Paris started strong, providing a consistent threat to the London goal, though the London defense frustrated them early. Ultimately, it didn't take long for Paris to break the deadlock after Eric Fish smashed a free-kick from the edge of the box into the top L corner, leaving London GK Takechi stranded, grasping at air.
13' Paris 1 - 0 London
London attempted to get something going, waking up after Paris had gone ahead early. A promising London attack was dealt with well by the Paris defense, and allowed a dangerous counter. Fish and Belmont linked up well down the Paris right hand side, eventually working the ball to Imeinaktok on the edge of the box who forced a strong save. Newcomer Slab Head got the better of his man during the resultant corner, but was unfortunate to put the header wide.
Slab Head finished the half strong, shutting down multiple London attacks before the whistle blew.
HT Paris 1 - 0 London
And Paris looked good for it too, with 61% of the possession and an xG of 0.92 to London's 0.02
Paris started the second half where they left off in the first, on the front foot. Wince put a speculative effort just over the bar, after which a strong clearance denied Belmont.
Another good chance fell Paris' way, with a tussle in the box falling London's way. But wait! The referee is being called over to the monitor! PENALTY to Paris!!
Belmont steps up and cooly slots it away, sending the keeper sprawling to the right while he slipped the ball down the middle.
49' Paris 2 - 0 London
At 2-0 down London decided to wake up and make a game of it, starting to cause problems for the Paris defense.
This culminated in the 66th minute, when midfielder Cue played a through ball to Emerson behind the Paris defense. Now, I'm not saying the refs missed something here, but if you pay close attention to the stream I'm sure you can see Emerson reach up and smack Slab Head in the face as they chase the through ball. Horrible behaviour and a grievous error by the officiating staff, as they allow Emerson to slot the ball home off the inside of the upright.
66' Paris 2 - 1 London
Buoyed by their fortunate first, London found a second gear, quickly winning a free-kick on the edge of the box that clipped the wall and deflected wide for a corner. The resultant corner was taken quickly, and rookie defender Coin Flip rose to beat his man at the front post, clipping the ball towards goal. Aguilera caught flat footed - tied game.
71' Paris 2 - 2 London
At this point, London heads were up and Paris spirits were down. A 2 goal lead had disappeared in the blink of an eye through 2 half chances, and the Paris players looked distracted. This allowed Emerson to find Rodiano Santori who fired across goal to give London their first lead of the game.
80' Paris 2 - 3 London
Inter London players and staff wheeled off in celebration, in disbelief that they had turned this game around. Everyone in the stadium knew what a strong position Paris had squandered, and now it looked like they were going to miss out on the points entirely.
But wait! What's this? Paris have found some confidence on the ball again, working it through the London midfield before finding Greedy McFootcakes wide left. McFootckaes puts an inviting ball into the box, one final chance, but the ball is above the Paris centre forward! Fortunately for Paris, there was nothing the London defense could do to stop Dybala flying in at the back post and smashing the ball across goal, burying it in the bottom corner to rescue Paris and important point.
FT Paris 3 - 3 London
While London will feel like Paris snuck a point at the end, I think Paris were by far the stronger team on the day. London took advantage a few half chances to steal a couple of goals in a shirt period in the second half, but never looked in control. This is reflected in the expected goals total, with Paris leading 2.45 xG to 1.71 xG for London.
Overall, a good point for Paris in the end, given how things looked towards the end, but at the same time, a missed opportunity for a team looking to compete for the title.
