Ajaccio vs. PSG: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Coupe de la Ligue Game

As the holders of the Coupe de la Ligue trophy, there is a certain level of pressure for Paris Saint-Germain as they take on AC Ajaccio on Wednesday night.

The Stade Francois Coty has been a difficult place for the Parisians to visit over the last few years, and coming off the back of two straight defeats, the pressure has been cranked up in the French capital.

PSG may have been beaten by EA Guingamp on Sunday, but Monaco’s 1-0 win over Marseille stopped Marcelo Bielsa’s side from increasing the gap at the top to four points.

Monday’s news that they will play Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League may be dominating the French press, but any lack of concentration on the job at hand would give the Ligue 2 side a slight chance of causing yet another shock defeat.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Coupe de la Ligue tie, here are the key issues and decisions that will shape PSG’s cup match against AC Ajaccio.

PSG Defence to Be Tested Against Veteran Double Act

David Vincent/Associated Press

PSG’s defence of David Luiz and Thiago Silva is under some pressure at the moment. Losing three goals against Barcelona and then the defeat to Guingamp is not ideal, but it is far from a crisis.

There is no shame in being beaten by Barcelona, especially with both sides already having secured qualification.

The concern comes from the nature of the defending in the Champions League tie. Lionel Messi was left all alone as Luis Suarez crossed to set up the equaliser.

Rule No. 1 of defending: Don’t lose one of the best players in the world. It's a simple but effective tip for Luiz.

On Wednesday, PSG face two fairly in-form strikers in the Ajaccio attack. They may be older, but Nicolas Fauvergue and Dennis Oliech have 15 goals between them in 37 appearances.

Oliech, the former Auxerre striker, has scored twice in the Coupe de la Ligue this campaign, and he’ll be confident of causing the PSG defence a headache on Wednesday.

PSG Usually Struggle Against the Islanders

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

Although Ajaccio were relegated last season, they proved themselves a tough test for the men from the capital. Ultimately, PSG would win the game 2-1 but not after Brazilian striker Eduardo had given the home side a shock lead after six minutes.

Over the last 33 years, the sides have only met nine times at the Stade Francois Coty, but PSG have only won twice.

The first win didn’t come until 2011, seeing PSG go 30 years without an away victory against the islanders.

Ajaccio themselves have only won three times, with a draw the most likely outcome.

If that happens on Wednesday, there is a chance of the game going to penalties, and then, transfer budgets and league positions go out the window.

Crisis, What Crisis?

David Vincent/Associated Press

It is perhaps a sign of the times, but it seems that PSG are only ever one game away from a crisis at the moment.

Laurent Blanc has been under pressure as PSG boss from the moment he stepped on to the touchline. Two league titles, two quarter-final appearances in the Champions League and last season’s Coupe de la Ligue success should give the former France coach more respect.

There is absolutely no shame in losing to Barcelona at any stage of the Champions League, but with the Parisian club having already qualified and then taking the lead, it is hard to see where the panic has come from after the 3-1 defeat.

The defending should have been better for Messi’s equaliser, but there was little they could do about Neymar’s shot, once the Brazilian had found space outside the area.

Last season away against Guingamp, it took an 86th-minute equaliser from Alex for PSG to steal a point from the Stade Roudourou. It is always a hard place to go and take points, especially after playing away in the Champions League and against a side buoyed by their achievements in the Europa League.

Defeat against Ajaccio would be a disaster, but cup shocks are by no means impossible to avoid. If the PSG fans and media are not enjoying the club's season, perhaps they could swap places with Ajaccio in Ligue 2.