Edinson Cavani Secures PSG Treble with Coupe de France Win over Stubborn Auxerre

Paris Saint-Germain are celebrating the first major domestic treble in French football history after beating AJ Auxerre, 1-0, at Stade de France on Saturday to win the Coupe de France.

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It is the capital club’s ninth title in the competition, now just one short of Olympique de Marseille’s record of 10. But added to the Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue titles, it writes them into the history books with the maiden triple.

Including the Trophee des Champions from back in pre-season as well, it means that PSG have actually won every possible piece of domestic silverware on offer this season.

After the match, coach Laurent Blanc was delighted with his players for getting the job done against stubborn opponents in l'AJA.

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Our season has ended beautifully with this Coupe de France. That's what we wanted! It was tough to win, but it's beautiful. We're satisfied, of course, but it was tough faced with an Auxerre side who played very well. Our hats are off to them; they played to their strengths and showed some incredible qualities. But I'm satisfied, because in the end it's only the result that counts. I think both teams can be happy tonight, even though there is one that is necessarily happier than the other.

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For over an hour in the French capital, though, it looked as if Blanc’s men might not be celebrating that historic feat. Instead, it looked as if Auxerre were capable of springing an almighty surprise.

Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s men held their own and fought valiantly against the might of the French champions. L’AJA might have only finished ninth in Ligue 2 this season, but the Burgundy outfit showed excellent organisation and far more desire than their opponents.

The teams went in level at half-time, and it was no less than Auxerre deserved, with Vannuchi’s game plan that was designed to frustrate PSG working perfectly.

Les Parisiens did not help themselves by appearing intent to do the absolute minimum possible to secure the trophy, but they still carved out a few opportunities. Thiago Motta saw his superb effort from distance come crashing back off the post, but that was as close as PSG came to opening the scoring.

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Aside from the post on that occasion, all that stopped Blanc’s side from finding the back of the net earlier than they eventually did was Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Leon.

Likely playing in his final game for the four-time Coupe de France winners before departing Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps when his contract expires this summer, the 22-year-old French Guiana international was an absolute rock between the sticks and kept out everything Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his team-mates were throwing at him.

However, Leon was finally beaten after 65 minutes.

Right-back Gregory van der Wiel produced a perfect cross from the right, and the in-form Cavani rose highest to score with a thumping headed effort, which crashed in off the crossbar and Leon. It was going to have to be something special to beat the Auxerre man, and El Matador’s 31st goal across all competitions this season was all that got through in the end.

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The Uruguayan completes a superb end of the season, with 13 goals in his last nine domestic games to end the campaign. His 31 goals in all competitions is the joint-best record in France along with Olympique Lyonnais’ Alexandre Lacazette and one better than team-mate Ibrahimovic.

Despite Cavani’s excellent finish, though, it was not a vintage performance from PSG.

Before and after the goal, it was evident that Blanc’s men were missing chief creator Javier Pastore, and the display emphasised just how important the Argentina international has become this season.

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El Flaco’s incisive passes and ability to play the likes of Cavani, Ibrahimovic and Lucas Moura into space made the capital outfit’s showing less fluent than they have been of late in Ligue 1. And it was a reminder of just how much PSG struggled at times this term—despite a glittering end to the campaign.

Despite Les Parisiens’ struggles, though, Auxerre lacked quality in front of goal—as you’d expect from a team that finished ninth in the second tier this season—and failed to make the most of the limited chances that they were able to fashion for themselves.

Vannuchi’s men were unable to break through PSG’s strong back line, and when referee Antony Gautier blew the final whistle, the celebrations started at Stade de France.

The final brings down the curtain on an excellent French footballing season. Although they have completed a clean sweep, PSG’s victory on all domestic fronts was not a straightforward as it might appear.

Thanks to Cavani, though, the men from the capital are in the history books.