Second-string PSG beaten by Strasbourg before Arsenal return leg

PARIS: Strasbourg kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next season´s Champions League with a 2-1 win Saturday against a Paris Saint-Germain side showing 10 changes from their midweek victory away to Arsenal.

A Lucas Hernandez own goal put Strasbourg ahead on 20 minutes and Felix Lemarechal doubled the home side´s lead in first-half stoppage time in Alsace, although Bradley Barcola pulled one back for PSG just after the break.

Liam Rosenior´s in-form Strasbourg are now unbeaten in 12 games going back to early February and this victory leaves them fifth in the table, just one point behind second-placed Monaco, who won 3-1 at Saint-Etienne. “Despite all the changes, PSG still put out a strong team,” said Englishman Rosenior.

“We had to fight for every ball in the heat. The players ran for each other, celebrated winning tackles and headers. “We have shown that courage all season. We are the second-best team in 2025 behind PSG.

“The progress my players have made is superb. You have to suffer to the maximum to beat a team like Paris, but it was worth it.” PSG have already wrapped up a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title and saw their unbeaten record domestically this season come to an end last weekend.

Coach Luis Enrique therefore rested all of those who started the 1-0 win away to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, with the exception of Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves. Ousmane Dembele, who scored the winning goal against the Gunners, was missing from the squad altogether after coming off hurt in the second half of that game.