Reims 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain: Ramos receives bizarre red card as Ligue 1 leaders held

Paris Saint-Germain were crippled by Sergio Ramos' bizarre red card as they attempted a 0-0 draw with Reims in Ligue 1, dropping points for only the second time this season.

With Lionel Messi out through injury and Neymar starting on the bench, PSG were less than fluid with 11 men, struggling to make inroads against their stubborn hosts.

Christophe Galtier's men were forced to play the majority of the match at 10 after Ramos' madness, the Spaniard receiving two cards in quick succession shortly before the break, the second for dissent.

Neymar then came off the bench to squander PSG's best chance in the second half as the perennial Ligue 1 champions failed to move five points clear of Marseille at the top.

Visiting goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf made a solid early save on a curling effort from Fabian Ruiz, before Dion Lopy volleyed over the crossbar at the other end.

PSG struggled to find attacking inspiration in the opening exchanges but came close twice in a row after 33 minutes; Nordi Mukiele blazing after Diouf denied Kylian Mbappe at close range.

The Ligue 1 leaders received an extraordinary blow 10 minutes later, with Ramos sent off for clashing with the referee less than a minute after seeing yellow for tripping Marshall Munetsi.

Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to stop Munetsi's effort as Reims continued to press after the break, before Neymar side-footed wide past the near post at the right time from Mbappe after his introduction .

Vitinha then fell back as Neymar's presence energized PSG, but Oscar Garcia's strugglers were ultimately value for money with a result that took them out of the box. relegation.

What does this mean? 10-man Parisians unable to extend lead

PSG entered Saturday's game having won six straight away games in Ligue 1, their best streak since setting a club-record eight-game streak in April 2017.

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Galtier's side came into this contest having scored 28 goals in nine Ligue 1 appearances, but were far from their best even before Ramos was sent off.

The result means PSG failed to capitalize on Marseille's shock 2-1 loss to Ajaccio earlier on Saturday, and only lead their rivals by three points ahead of the huge head-to-head next week at the Parc des Princes.

The red mist descends on Ramos…again

With PSG struggling to score against a stubborn Reims defense and also troubled at the break, the visitors needed a cool head as half-time approached. Unfortunately for Galtier, Ramos didn't get the memo.

The Real Madrid great has now picked up 21 red cards in his league career (both in La Liga and Ligue 1), at least seven more than any other defender in Europe's top five leagues over the past 21st century.

Leaders miss Messi's brilliance

Although Ramos' dismissal left PSG out, they only managed four shots - two on target - throughout the first half, the vast majority of which saw them play with the set complete.

In truth, the Parisians have struggled for creativity in Messi's absence. The Argentine has been involved in seven goals in his last five league appearances, including five assists, and there's no doubt Mbappe and company missed his sight on Saturday.

Key facts about Opta

– PSG faced 24 shots against, their highest tally in a Ligue 1 game since December 2011 (30 at Saint-Etienne), while Reims had not attempted up to 24 shots without scoring in a Ligue 1 game since Opta started recording competition stats (2006-07).– PSG are unbeaten in their last 19 Ligue 1 games (W14 D5), their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight from May 2018 to January 2019 (21).– Referee Pierre Gaillouste has distributed six red cards in six refereed matches in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 this season. One during Nantes v PSG on September 3, as well as four during Metz v Guingamp on September 12.

What's next?

PSG host Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday, with both teams currently locked on seven points in Group H. Reims travel to Lorient in Ligue 1 next Saturday.