Ajaccio vs. PSG: Winners and Losers from Coupe De La Ligue Game

Paris Saint-Germain’s winless run has ended at two matches after a 3-1 win over AC Ajaccio in the Coupe de la Ligue at the Stade Francois Coty on Wednesday. It was not easy; with the current titleholders having to come from a goal down to ultimately win, but Laurent Blanc’s men did the job in the end.

A shock had looked on the cards when Ajaccio captain Johan Cavalli converted a soft 27th minute penalty, with the Corsican hosts going on to enjoy another good chance before they eventually ran out of steam.

PSG pulled level on 55 minutes through Edinson Cavani, the Uruguayan slipping the ball underneath L’Orsi’s Anthony Scribe after a brilliant through ball from Lucas Moura. The otherwise disappointing Serge Aurier headed the visitors on front with 10 minutes to go, before substitute Jean-Christophe Bahebeck rounded off the scoring four minutes later.

Coach Blanc revealed his satisfaction to PSG.fr after the final whistle:

"

Congratulations to the players for the qualification. It wasn't as easy as all that, especially in the first half. After two defeats in five days, it's a good thing to have fought back. I think we could have scored more goals this evening, but Ajaccio gave it their best shot so congratulations to them.

"

Here are some winners and losers from the game.

Winner: PSG’s Match-Winning Super-Sub Jean-Christophe Bahebeck

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Given the final 20 minutes to impress upon his return from injury, Bahebeck seized his chance with both hands.

Not only did the 21-year-old score the third and final goal, but he also provided Aurier’s go-ahead effort just minutes before from a corner. One goal and an assist on your return from a lengthy injury lay-off is not bad at all.

Now Bahebeck will hope to be given a chance when Montpellier HSC visit Parc des Princes in Ligue 1, as he has more than earned it with his impressive appearances so far this season.

The French under-21 international has three goals and two assists from 10 appearances in all domestic competitions this term yet has only started two in Le Championnat.

Blanc can also feel happy that his intelligent tactical change worked perfectly, particularly after he was criticised for bring Marco Verratti off in the recent 3-1 defeat away at Barcelona.

Winner: Johan Cavalli Who Continues to Embody Ajaccio’s Fighting Spirit

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Despite his team’s defeat, captain Cavalli can feel satisfied with his effort.

A local lad and Ajaccio through and through, the ACA No. 18 can always be relied upon to give the best of himself, and it was no different against PSG.

Cavalli scored his penalty with panache and was at the heart of Les Ours’ best football of the night, along with the lively Dennis Oliech.

Defeat, as always, will have hurt him more than most.

Winner: Lucas Moura Who Once Again Stood out for PSG

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On a night when many of PSG’s players failed to perform, despite the score line, Lucas shone once again.

As he has been on so many occasions this season, the Brazilian was Les Parisiens’ most dangerous player on the night and threatened the Ajaccio back line with his searing pace.

Moura laid on Cavani’s equaliser and then led an incisive counter-attack before providing Bahebeck with a simple, sliding finish.

Loser: PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi Who Is Rapidly Becoming a Peripheral Figure

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One of PSG’s worst performers on the night, Lavezzi’s disappointing recent run continues.

Not happy that he was substituted early in the 1-1 draw with Lille OSC a few weeks ago, the Argentine showed little in defeat away at EA Guingamp last weekend and even less in Ajaccio.

El Pocho’s delivery from set pieces, his main involvement, was poor on the night and he has lost the burst of pace that previously made him useful.

This summer had seemed the perfect opportunity to move the South American on, after a decent FIFA World Cup and a good second half of last season. However, the PSG hierarchy decided against it, and they are now lumbered with a player clearly past his best.

Loser: Serge Aurier Who Flattered to Deceive

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A close second to Lavezzi in the inept stakes was Aurier, who is only saved from being the biggest loser on the night because of the fact the he scored a header late on.

The Ivorian missed a similar chance early in the second half and should have put it away so can feel relieved. However, the rest of his performance left a lot to be desired.

At fault for Ajaccio’s penalty, Aurier was regularly caught out in defence and can consider himself lucky that the hosts wasted their best chance to add to their lead.