Saint-Etienne vs. PSG: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape League Cup Game
On Wednesday night, Paris Saint-Germain travel south to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard to take on Saint-Etienne in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue.
The game comes at a very interesting time of the season. Results this weekend saw Saint-Etienne leapfrog PSG into third place, with the Ligue 1 champions slipping to fourth for the first time since December 2012.
"As L'Equipe mention, this is first time since QSI took over at PSG that club has dropped out of top 3 positions in second half of a season.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 11, 2015"
Pressure is now on Laurent Blanc to turn this around and overhaul Les Stephanois, Marseille and league leaders Lyon to win their third straight title.
Both clubs will have their sights set on Champions League qualification, with both clubs winning the trophy in the last three years, there is a certain amount of expectation for each side to be victorious.
Here are the key issues and decisions that will decide the Coupe de la Ligue game between Saint-Etienne and PSG.
Saint-Etienne to Frustrate the PSG Attack
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In their last six games, in all competitions, Saint-Etienne’s defence has been as water-tight as they could have hoped, conceding only twice, and coach Christophe Galtier will be hoping that can continue on Tuesday.
Amazingly, Les Verts haven’t let in two goals in one game since the 2-1 defeat away to Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. One of only three times they have lost this season.
Paris Saint-Germain will be hoping to evoke memories of their earlier league game when the Ligue 1 champions put five past Stephane Ruffier.
With 10 goals in their last six games, it’s not as if PSG are having a dry spell in front of goal, it’s just the results that have been lacking.
Galtier will be hoping for a much tighter display from his side, surely lightning can’t strike twice?
Great Chance for Laurent Blanc to Experiment
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PSG are the reigning Coupe de la Ligue holders, but the competition is far from the Parisian club’s priority this season.
This could be a perfect chance for Blanc to try one or two changes, perhaps breathing life into his underperforming side.
His defence has faced a lot of criticism and with the midfield lacking drive and energy, this could be the perfect time to move David Luiz into the midfield and bring young Marquinhos in beside Thiago Silva in the heart of the defence.
It is only a matter of time before the centre-back who was superb at the start of the season is seen as the answer to PSG’s defensive problems.
Priorities Lie Elsewhere for PSG This Season
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Winning the Coupe de la Ligue, unlike the English League Cup, gives you a place in the Europa League. Regardless of PSG’s failings so far this season, they are firmly focused on a place in the Champions League.
With Blanc’s side still in four competitions, this trophy is far from a priority. Despite the loss to Bastia at the weekend and his side dropping to fourth in the league, some reality has to come into the team’s thoughts this week.
It would be madness to play their strongest team. Blanc needs to rest and rotate, making sure his best players are ready to go for the home game against Evian on Sunday.
If PSG are eliminated on Tuesday, the bigger picture is that the other tournaments are higher on the priority list. It would not be a disaster, but could be a blessing.
Saint-Etienne Hoping History Repeats Itself
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The last time Saint-Etienne beat PSG at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was two years ago at the very same stage of the Coupe de la Ligue.
Goals were at a premium, with the game finishing goalless after 120 minutes. Stephane Ruffier was the home hero, saving a number of PSG’s chances during the game and then he made a fantastic save from Thiago Silva’s penalty before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tucked away the winning kick.
Over the past 10 years, PSG has only won twice at Le Chaudron. Both times were close 1-0 wins in 2007 and 2011. Blanc will be hoping for a repeat of those nights rather than their exit in 2013.
