Sergio Ramos’ red card cost Paris Saint-Germain as they dropped points in Ligue 1 for just the second time this campaign on Saturday.
Paris Saint-Germain were hamstrung by Sergio Ramos’ bizarre red card as they toiled to a 0-0 draw with Reims in Ligue 1, dropping points for just the second time this season.
With Lionel Messi missing through injury and Neymar starting on the bench, PSG were less than fluid with 11 men and struggled to assert themselves against their stubborn hosts.
Christophe Galtier’s men were forced to play most of the match with 10 after Ramos’ moment of madness, the Spaniard picking up two bookings in quick succession shortly before the break, the second for dissent.
Neymar then came off the bench to miss PSG’s best chance of the second half as the reigning Ligue 1 champions failed to move five points clear of Marseille at the top.
Visiting goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf caught Fabian Ruiz’s curling save early before Dion Lopy sent a volley over the bar at the other end.
PSG struggled for attacking inspiration in the early exchanges but went close twice in quick succession after 33 minutes; Nordi Mukiele burst into flames after Diouf denied Kylian Mbappe from close range.
The Ligue 1 leaders were dealt an extraordinary blow 10 minutes later when Ramos was sent off for confronting the referee less than a minute after seeing yellow for tripping Marshall Munetsi.
Munetsi’s goal effort was stopped by Gianluigi Donnarumma as Reims continued to press after the break before Neymar fired wide from Mbappe’s opener from a well-timed pass.
Vitinha then curled up as Neymar’s presence energized PSG, but Oscar Garcia’s warriors were ultimately good value for a result that lifts them back out of the relegation zone.