Dubai Telegraph - PSG fringe team held by Lorient as Bayern Munich return leg looms

Ibrahim Mbaye's fortuitous early goal to put PSG in front at the Parc des Princes was cancelled out by Pablo Pagis for mid-table Lorient, but Warren Zaire-Emery gave the hosts the lead for the second time, moments after coming on as a second-half substitute.

However, a mistake by teenage debutant Pierre Mounguengue allowed Aiyegun Tosin to run through and score a second equaliser for Lorient, and PSG could not find a winner -- even being awarded a penalty in stoppage time for a non-existent handball which was overturned by VAR.

The result means the outcome of the Ligue 1 title race remains a live issue, with PSG seven points clear of Lens who have four games remaining including at Nice later Saturday.

Lens also still have to host PSG on May 13, and Luis Enrique's side are focused principally on the defence of their European title as they face Bayern away on Wednesday after winning 5-4 at home in a remarkable first leg.

"We needed the three points. This has opened up the title race a little bit," admitted Luis Enrique.

"It is very difficult in terms of motivation after playing a Champions League semi-final in an incredible atmosphere, but I expect more from my players," said the PSG coach, who made nine changes here, with Willian Pacho and Desire Doue the only players retained from midweek.

Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were unused substitutes against Lorient while Vitinha was not in the squad.

Renato Marin, aged 19, made just his second top-team appearance in goal, and fellow teenager Mbaye made a first start in three months.

Mounguengue, an 18-year-old forward, came off the bench in the second half as the Parisians were held to a draw by Lorient for the second time this season.

- Marseille misery -

PSG went ahead on six minutes when Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo attempted to clear a Doue cross but instead played the ball off Mbaye before it rebounded into the net.

Pagis converted the first equaliser for Lorient, the club owned by American businessman Bill Foley who also owns Premier League Bournemouth and the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL.

It was 2-1 to the hosts just after the hour mark. Zaire-Emery had just come on for Fabian Ruiz when he controlled a Doue pass for his first touch, and then fired in with the aid of a deflection.

But Mounguengue cost the home side two points when his loose ball inside was pounced upon by Tosin and the Benin forward went on to score.

PSG, who are chasing a fifth straight Ligue 1 title, hit the post late on through Senny Mayulu as they dropped points for the third time in their last five home Ligue 1 games.

Meanwhile, Marseille's troubled season continued with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Nantes which is a further blow to their prospects of Champions League qualification but gives their opponents' renewed hope of avoiding relegation.

Ignatius Ganago, Remy Cabella and Matthis Abline all scored in the space of nine minutes early in the second half as Nantes claimed a first win in nine matches and just a fifth victory all season.

Eight-time champions Nantes remain in the automatic relegation places with two games left but are now just two points behind Auxerre in the play-off spot before their rivals play on Sunday.

Marseille, meanwhile, are on a run of four defeats in their last six outings which leaves them sixth.

They are four points away from a Champions League berth with two games left, and at this rate are running the risk of not qualifying for Europe at all -- OM will slip to seventh if Monaco win at relegation certainties Metz later.

"We got what we deserved," said coach Habib Beye, who insisted he will not walk away.

"When you take on a challenge like this you don't just give up. I will never quit."

G.Gopinath--DT