[monks data]

Ligue 1

Apr 28, 2015 at 8pm UK

PSG Paris Saint-Germain
3-1
Metz

Verratti (25'), Cavani (42'), van der Wiel (77')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Maiga (53')

Half-Time Report: Paris Saint-Germain lead Metz through Marco Verratti and Edinson Cavani strikes

By Joe Sharratt, Reporter | 28 April 2015

A Marco Verratti strike midway through the first half and a smart finish from Edinson Cavani three minutes before the break give Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 lead over Metz at the break.

Paris Saint-Germain are on course to move three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 as they lead Metz 2-0 at half time at the Parc des Princes through goals from Marco Verratti and Edinson Cavani.

Metz's Malian forward Modibo Maiga vies for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Metz at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 28, 2015 © Getty Images

After a quiet opening period that saw the home side dominate possession but fail to create much in front of goal, Blaise Matuidi wastefully fired over the top from Ezequiel Lavezzi's cutback on the 15-minute mark.

The miss, however, seemed to spur Laurent Blanc's side into action, and they took the lead in spectacular fashion midway through the first half thanks to Verratti's second goal of the season, and his first since January.

The Italian midfielder collected Javier Pastore's pass and curled a low effort beyond the dive of Anthony Mfa Meuzi and into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Verratti then picked out the surging run of Gregory van der Wiel from right-back five minutes before the break, but the Dutch defender failed to pick out an unmarked Lucas Digne at the back post.

However, the hosts did double their lead when Pastore found Cavani with another defence splitting-ball, and he held off the challenge of Kevin Lejeune and dinked the ball over Mfa Meuzi.