Dijon 1 - 2 PSG: Ligue 1 matchday 9 - match report, result, how it happened
LAFC vs LA Galaxy: Vela vs Zlatan live online, MLS week 25
It was a game billed as another comfortable run out for the Ligue 1 champions elect as PSG travelled to Dijon, who themselves are fighting to get away from the relegation zone. The fans at the Stade Gaston Gérard cheered throughout for their team who very, very nearly took something from Neymar, Mbappé and co.
Dijon vs PSG: match report
There were just 20 minutes to play and Dijon had withstood the threats posed to them by the considerable fire power of the Parisien giants through hard work and a little good fortune. Then the ball broke to Thomas Meunier from a fine strike from Neymar and he slotted home under the diving Baptiste Reynet.
But far from the hosts' heads dropping they found renewed vigour, taking confidence from their showing for most of the game and an incredible hit from Benjamin Jeannot three minutes from time looked to have secured a valuable point. Then, as the final seconds ticked down, Kylian Mbappé laid a delicious pass across the six-yard area and, once again, Meunier was there to guide it into the net despite valiant attempts to stop it crossing the line.
Pride but heartbreak for the Dijon players and fans. Three points and a stretched Ligue 1 gap for the underwhelming PSG.
Dijon vs PSG: as it happened live
Dijon vs PSG: match preview
Paris Saint-Germain travel to Dijon for matchday nine of the French Ligue 1 season, and everyone is expecting them to spank Olivier Dall'Oglio's Dijon. Even the Dijon manager is expecting it to be tough, announcing before the game that PSG is a "steamroller" and admitting that his defenders would be up against it "facing Neymar and MBappé".
That said the French coach did go on to strike a somewhat positive note saying he enjoyed challenges like this and although "we've seen they're capable of spanking quite a few teams, they are also capable of being held. We have to believe in our chances, our team. We have to be optimistic and positive, and go into the game with a lot of hope."
But the reality is that PSG's budget for 2017/18 is a whopping 550 million euros. More than 17 times that of relative minnows Dijon, who have to scrape by on just 32 million. Which is less than Neymar earns, if Football Leaks information is to be believed, with the Brazilian superstar on wages of 36 million a season.
The one bright light of that disparity in money is that most of PSG's squad are high-flying internationals, with no less than 13 players having been away on international duty, which may have an impact on their cohesion as a team.
Individual stats, too, highlight the gulf between the sides. Cavani has bagged eight goals, and might have had more if not for Neymar grabbing the ball off him when he can, while Dijon top scorer Jeannot is on just two. The biggest difference can be seen in terms of the sides' two top passers, Dijon's Jordan Marié has made 38.1 passes per game, while his PSG counterpart Rabiot is ticking along at a smooth 81.4 passes per match. Expect PSG to not just be on top in terms of possession, but to boss, dominate and monopolise it, and at the end of the day, despite Dall'Oglio's fondness for a challenge, it's highly unlikely Dijon will be able to cut the mustard against the PSG steamroller.
Dijon team news
The good news for Dijon is the return of Mehdi Abeid, who has been out for several weeks, though he's unlikely to start. Olivier Dall'Oglio is missing Cédric Yambéré through suspension as well as Wesley Lautoa, Eden Massouema, Vincent Rüfli and Julio Tavares who are all injured.
Possible Dijon XI:
Reynet, Rosier, Papy Mison Djilobodji, Varrault, Chafik, Xeka, Jordan Marié, Amalfitano, Wesley Said, Jeannot, Naim Sliti
PSG team news
Thiago Silva won't travel for the match, having picked up a thigh strain while on Brazil duty during the international break. However coach Unai Emery said he should be fine for the trip to Brussels to play Anderlecht on Wednesday in the Champions League. Emery also said left-back Layvin Kurzawa might be available after coming back to training. Angel Di Maria meanwhile has told Emery he feels good, and Marco Verratti will also be fit, having done half training on Wednesday and being ready for full training on Friday. Javier Pastore is however still a doubt.
Possible PSG XI:
Areola, Yuri, Kimbembe, Marquinhos, Meunier, Verratti, Rabiot, Neymar, Draxler, Mbappé, Cavani
Dijon vs PSG live stream online: betting odds
The bookies reckon it’ll be lambs to the slaughter at the Stade Gaston Gérardas with Dijon around 20-1 to record a shock win, the draw at around 9-1 and PSG paying out at around 12 cents per euro staked. With such a paltry return on a PSG win, a correct score might be an idea - you'll get around 14-1 for PSG to win 4-1, or for both sides to find the back of the net (PSG almost certainly will, and Dijon have actually scored a fair few this season), where you'll get a return of 1.20 for each euro staked if the bet comes in.