Ajax vs. PSG: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Lasse Schone's second-half equalising free-kick was enough to claim Ajax a point in the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday in Group F of the Champions League as the Eredivisie side drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain.

Edinson Cavani had given Laurent Blanc's side the lead early in the game and PSG should have put the result to bed but failed to finish off several chances.      

While the French champions had the best of the opportunities, Ajax rode their luck somewhat and deserved to come away with a point after a much-improved second-half performance. 

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

PSG were the better side in the opening half and looked to be more eager going forward with the ball, despite being away from home.

Cavani slotted the opener in the 14th minute, pouncing on a splendidly blocked Zlatan Ibrahimovic shot which had been set up by Lucas Moura's fine ball after poor defending from Ajax left-back Nicolai Boilesen. 

The hosts could barely get themselves into the game in the opening period, as Opta's stat shows, never truly troubling PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu:

However, they went in just one goal down at the break and came out for the second half looking much more energised.

They were given a big let-off early on after the break when Lucas put a chance wide of the post despite only having the keeper to beat, after taking advantage of more poor defending, per Ligue 1 journalist Jonathan Johnson:

But Ajax looked much improved going forward in the second half and—despite not making a breakthrough—stayed in the game as Ibrahimovic, Marquinhos and Gregory van der Wiel all missed good chances.

The French champions were eventually punished for failing to put the game to bed when Schone curled a free-kick into left corner after 75 minutes, despite Sirigu getting a hand on it.

The Danish midfielder almost put his side ahead just minutes later as he forced another save from a free-kick 30 yards from goal.

Neither side looked to be playing for the draw but a winner was not to be found despite Ajax's continued threats in stoppage time.

Frank de Boer will likely be the happier manager, his side having come back from a goal down and survived numerous PSG chances.

Grades

Lucas Moura: C+

Lucas capitalised on Boilesen's error to create PSG's goal and was in the attacking mix often, creating various chances and not afraid to get on the ball.

However, his glorious chance early in the second half simply had to be put home, and the fact that he did not even draw a save was largely representative of a somewhat poor display from the Brazilian.

Often indecisive, particularly in front of goal, Lucas showed on Wednesday why he is often such a frustrating player to watch, per Goal.com's Robin Bairner:

Marquinhos: B

In the first half, Marquinhos was superb, dominating the centre of the French side's defence and putting in several crucial blocks in the opening period, per Johnson:

In the second half, he could have made it 2-0, but flashed a header wide of the post from a Lucas delivery, and he gave away the rather unnecessary free-kick, which led to Ajax's equaliser.

Nicolai Boilesen: C

Danish international Boilesen made a shocking mistake which led to the first PSG goal, effectively gifting the ball to Lucas as he got in a tangle and fell over.

It wasn't his only defensive error of the night, and although his delivery and attacking play was largely positive, he needs to cut out his mistakes at the back. 

Post-Match Reaction

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

Lucas praised Ajax after the match for their strong performance but insisted his side—and himself—need to do better in the future if they are to pick up crucial points in the competition, per Robin Bairner on Goal.com:

"

We played against a very strong team, and it was difficult. I think we played well but we must do better. With my chance early in the second period, I made a mistake - I hope to score next time. It is difficult to explain why we finished the game in such a complicated manner.

"

Indeed, Ajax looked the more likely team to grab a winner as PSG became increasingly ragged at the back. With Barcelona—who beat Apoel 1-0 on Wednesday—up next, the French champions will need to improve greatly if they wish to claim a home win.

Ajax take on the Cypriots in their next encounter and, should they perform as they did in the second half against PSG, they could win with ease and set themselves up for a run to the knockout stages.