PSG vs. Saint-Etienne: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1
Marco Verratti put through his own net on Sunday evening, but that was not enough to stop Paris Saint-Germain comfortably beating Saint-Etienne.
The Parc des Princes was given a number of reasons to cheer as Laurent Blanc's team were hardly tested by the side who had started the weekend in fourth in Ligue 1.
Layvin Kurzawa grabbed his first goal for the club, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic combined for two in the second half and Lucas Moura completed the scoring in the last 10 minutes.
Christophe Galtier's side rarely even looked close to challenging and will be disappointed with their performance.
Here are the winners and losers from PSG's 4-1 home win over Saint-Etienne.
Winner: Layvin Kurzawa
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One thing that Lucas Digne got wrong during his time in the French capital was failing to impress when he was handed his chance to shine—that didn’t happen to Kurzawa on Sunday night.
Maxwell is still the first-choice left-back, but the young France international didn’t do his reputation any harm.
In his sixth start for his new club, the 23-year-old scored his first goal for PSG and his second of the season.
"That goal will go a long way towards boosting Kurzawa's confidence. Has been a tough start for the France international at PSG. #PSGASSE
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) October 25, 2015"
Marco Verratti played in the left-back and Kurzawa provided the finish, playing the ball under Stephane Ruffier.
Winner: Marco Verratti
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PSG’s young Italian, Marco Verratti, showed against Real Madrid on Wednesday that he has the class to go on and become one of football’s best midfielders—on Sunday, that ability, once again, was there for all to see.
Forget his own goal that gave Saint-Etienne a life-line, this was another impressive performance. Two assists, including an excellent back-post cross for Lucas to head home the fourth.
"But Magnifique de Verratti! Shame it was in his own net.... #PSGASSE https://t.co/bz8RuGPIrz
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) October 25, 2015"
He also showed his great battling instincts to poke the ball into Kurzawa's path for the opener.
No one touched the ball more than the 22-year-old, per WhoScored.com, cementing his place as PSG’s linchpin this season.
Loser: Stephane Ruffier
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France’s No.3 goalkeeper had a night to forget on Sunday. He will look back at the four goals he conceded and think he could have done better with two of them.
Blameless for either Cavani or Ibrahimovic’s fast-break goals, but the first and fourth could have been stopped.
A great shot-stopper on his day, the 29-year-old looked vulnerable and slow to react for Kurzawa’s near-post finish and the header from Lucas.
"Ruffier is having a mixed season, but he was v. poor tonight...not Artur Boruc bad...but still dire! An unwanted weak link for Galtier.
— Ed Dove (@EddyDove) October 25, 2015"
At times over the last few years, Ruffier has kept Les Verts in important games, but he looked at his unconvincing best at the Parc des Princes.
Winner: Edinson Cavani
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After failing to convince against Bastia and Real Madrid, PSG’s attacking trio were in good form on Sunday and Laurent Blanc will hope they have finally found their groove.
The front three of Cavani, Ibrahimovic and Angel Di Maria combined for two of the team’s second-half goals on Sunday and there was nothing the Saint-Etienne defence could do.
The Swede started a breakaway down the right before squaring to Cavani to make it 2-0—then Di Maria sent Cavani clear on the left, and he returned the favour to Ibrahimovic to make it three.
"VIDEO: Here's what happens when you leave Ibrahimovic and Cavani totally unmarked! https://t.co/bnwFxrc3re #PSG pic.twitter.com/LlJyI8NjCo
— BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) October 25, 2015"
Now, they have to find a way to keep it consistent, especially in the Champions League.
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