PSG vs. Ajax: Score, Grades and Reaction from Champions League Game
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Ajax, 3-1, on Tuesday to stay ahead of Barcelona in Group F of the 2014-15 Champions League, setting up a massive showdown for the top seed when both clubs meet at the Camp Nou on Matchday 6.
The duo have already qualified, and with Les Parisiens holding a one-point lead at the top of the standings, fans can expect to see plenty of fireworks from the Blaugrana when these two giants of European football meet on Dec. 10.
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The hosts were the first side to threaten, taking advantage of space behind the back four to set up a counter-attack. Javier Pastore worked the ball to Edinson Cavani, whose shot was blocked at the last second.
The match saw a slow start, with most of the action taking place in the centre of the pitch. Nicolai Boilesen was forced to leave the pitch with an injury after just 10 minutes, courtesy of a wild challenge from Gregory van der Wiel, as shared by Dutch Football:
"Ex-Ajax man Gregory van der Wiel with a hard challenge on Boileses. The Dane down injured.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 25, 2014"
Ajax did well to hold onto the ball for long spells but looked fragile on the break, and the hosts nearly took the lead after Cavani played a tricky ball back into the area. His team-mates appeared surprised, however, and Mike van der Hoorn was able to clear with a last-ditch tackle.
Stefano Denswil tried his luck from 40 yards out, coming closer to knocking the ball out of the stadium than actually threatening Salvatore Sirigu's goal.
Pastore had a strong handle on the ball in midfield and set up counter after counter, and as shared by BrazilStats, he as oozing with confidence:
"Pastore just did this chapéu: https://t.co/uMhFNxMEVE He has this art in common with Ganso and Coutinho. Love watching all 3 of them.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) November 25, 2014"
Jasper Cillessen had hardly been called into action until the 28th minute, when he made a fantastic save to deny Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Lucas Andersen nearly got the ball to Arkadiusz Milik, who timed his run into the box perfectly, but Van Der Wiel was able to slide in and clear the ball just before it reached the attacker.
The hosts finally took the lead after 33 minutes through Cavani, who cleverly let a long ball from Zlatan Ibrahimovic roll for Lavezzi, as the Uruguayan was in an offside position. His team-mate controlled it and set up the forward for the easy finish:
As shared by OptaJose, he became Uruguay's all-time top scorer in the competition with the goal:
The momentum-boost had Les Bleus charging forward for a second, but the pace of the match dropped quickly when Ibrahimovic made a rash tackle on Thulani Serero, rightfully earning himself a yellow card.
Ricardo van Rhijn should have knotted things up just before half-time after a beautiful ball in from Lasse Schone, but the full-back completely scuffed his first-time shot.
The score remained 1-0 going into half-time, and Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson was mainly impressed with what he was seeing from the visitors:
Ajax pressed forward in search of an equaliser early in the second half but had to be careful with PSG's quick counters, something Lavezzi illustrated when he was nearly able to play a dangerous ball into the centre six minutes into the half.
Ibrahimovic extended a cross to Lavezzi, but the linesman signaled the Swede did so from an offside position, bringing an end to another great chance. The Dutch side continued to dominate possession, but the better chances were for the hosts, with Adrien Rabiot opting for a shot from distance rather than servicing his team-mates.
Youngster Ricardo Kishna impressed greatly for the visitors, and his performance had Twitter buzzing. Dutch Football already knew he was a great talent:
"Kishna impressing again tonight with some nice tricks, just earned Ajax a dangerous free kick.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 25, 2014"
Johnson also spotted the 19-year-old:
The winger produced a stunning cross in the 67th minute, picking up Davy Klaassen, who put his team on the scoreboard with a diving header. The goal, via Dutch Football:
"Great cross from Kishna and an even better diving header from Klaassen https://t.co/O0zEEsUFW7
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 25, 2014"
The home fans grew restless as PSG went in search of a winner, knowing full well a draw would see them drop below Barcelona in the standings. And with the two giants meeting on the final matchday with the top seed on the line, beating Ajax meant all Les Parisiens would need at the Camp Nou was a draw.
One player who had been awfully quiet throughout the match was Ibrahimovic, whose only real contribution had been the long ball that set up Cavani's goal. Until the 78th minute, that is.
Chesting down a ball like only the legend himself can, Zlatan didn't waste any time once he had the ball under control, launching a fantastic volley into the far corner. Here's the Vine, courtesy of Bleacher Report UK:
The setback appeared to demoralise the Dutch side, who had wasted precious energy working to find the equaliser. Cavani took advantage of a defensive miscue to add his second just minutes later, effectively killing the match.
Sirigu should have seen a card for handling the ball outside his box, but the official decided not to penalise the goalkeeper as the match was coming to a close.
Both sides were happy to just let the clock run out, and PSG had little difficulty holding on for the 3-1 win.
Grades
Edinson Cavani: B+
By far the most threatening player for the hosts, Cavani earns his rating in part by making history. A steady stream of consistent performances has made any rumblings of a potential transfer all but disappear.
Javier Pastore: A-
It's difficult to believe Pastore was able to turn his career around after being viewed as a colossal flop during his first two seasons with the club. His ability to launch the counter was pivotal on Tuesday, keeping Ajax's midfielders from playing too far up the pitch and really pressing the French back four.
Ricardo Kishna: A-
Remember the name. The 19-year-old has been Ajax's biggest revelation of the 2014-15 season, and his performance against PSG was arguably the finest of his young career. His cross to set up Klaassen can only be described as "class."
Post-Match Reaction
Jonathan Johnson thought Les Parisiens got more than they deserved from the match:
Dutch Football believed things came apart late for a young, inexperienced Ajax side:
"FT PSG 3-1 Ajax Eredivisie side great for 70 minutes, but two late goals give the Ligue 1 champions the win. Klaassen with Ajax's goal.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 25, 2014"
Ajax's Klaassen was sure PSG were ready to crumble, via Dutch Football:
"Ajax goalscorer Davy Klaassen on PSG, "They were ripe for the slaughter."
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 25, 2014"
Scorer Cavani understood the importance of Tuesday's match in light of the big finale against Barcelona, per the Champions League's official Twitter feed:
Post-Match Analysis
The win means PSG remain top of the group, needing only a draw at the Camp Nou on Matchday 6 to lock up the top seed. Barcelona easily disposed of APOEL, setting up the perfect showdown to decide who wins Group F.
Ajax will battle APOEL for the Europa League ticket that comes with a third-place finish, and a draw will do when they host the Cypriots on Dec. 10.
