Guingamp vs. PSG: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1 Game
Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed an almost perfect warm-up for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City next week with a 2-0 win away at EA Guingamp in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Manager Laurent Blanc was able to rest a host of star names at Stade du Roudourou, naming the youngest PSG XI to have played in Le Championnat since the 1990-91 season with an average age of 23 years and four months.
Despite their relative inexperience compared with Jocelyn Gourvennec’s Breton hosts, Les Parisiens were still able to claim all three points.
After a goalless first half, Lucas Moura gave the French champions the lead from the penalty spot after Jeremy Sorbon fouled Christopher Nkunku in clumsy fashion. Just 15 minutes later, the Brazil international doubled the visitors’ advantage by sweeping home from Layvin Kurzawa’s cutback.
It was almost ideal preparation for Tuesday’s visit to Etihad Stadium in Europe, apart from the injury suffered by starting goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in a collision with Kurzawa that broke the France international’s nose.
When speaking with the capital club’s official website (in French) shortly after the final whistle, PSG coach Blanc praised his players’ exemplary spirit and then stressed the need to repeat their victory against City next Tuesday.
Winner: Lucas Moura
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Having only started on the bench for the 2-2 draw with City on Wednesday, the Brazil international had a point to prove in Guingamp on Saturday.
Lucas did just that, scoring two goals in a constructive 90-minute outing that will have prepared him well for next week’s Champions League quarter-final return leg.
With Blaise Matuidi suspended, Angel Di Maria is expected to drop back into midfield, and Moura is expected to form a front three with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.
The 23-year-old’s brace will have boosted his confidence significantly ahead of a game he must perform well in.
Loser: Jocelyn Gourvennec
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Despite PSG resting a plethora of regular starters ahead of their Champions League quarter-final return leg against City next week, Guingamp were unable to capitalise on those absences.
Guingamp coach Jocelyn Gourvennec will be disappointed that he could not inspire his players to three priceless points, which would have effectively secured their Ligue 1 status for next season.
Considering Les Parisiens’ unfamiliar defence, the 44-year-old’s decision to not utilise burly attacker and joint-top scorer Sloan Privat from the bench was particularly surprising.
Winner: Marquinhos
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After the disappointment of having seen Blanc choose to start Serge Aurier at right-back for the first leg against City instead of him, Blanc handed Marquinhos a start away at Guingamp. And he will deputise for the suspended David Luiz in Manchester next Tuesday.
The 21-year-old was solid and commanding in the face of the threat that Jimmy Briand and Mevlut Erding posed, perfect preparation for his upcoming test at Etihad Stadium.
With Luiz out of form at present, more performances like this from Marquinhos should force Blanc to consider his central defensive pairing.
Loser: Jeremy Sorbon
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It was a bad afternoon for Guingamp defender Sorbon. The Frenchman was at fault for the penalty that Lucas opened the scoring with 11 minutes into the second half, and the 32-year-old could only watch on as the Brazilian doubled the visitors’ advantage 15 minutes later.
The 32-year-old and Christophe Kerbrat, who was booked in the first half, were unable to handle a vibrant front three of Moura, Jean-Kevin Augustin and Hervin Ongenda.
It was no surprise that the Bretons are struggling defensively after such an unconvincing display against a relatively untested attacking unit.
Winner: Salvatore Sirigu
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Sent on at half-time for the injured Trapp, Salvatore Sirigu could now be in line to start for PSG against City next week.
The Italy international has not had too many chances so far this season, but when called upon, he has performed well for Les Parisiens.
If Sirigu starts at Etihad Stadium, he will be hoping to prove a point to Blanc with a decisive display as Le President has preferred Trapp to the Azzurri star all campaign.
Loser: Kevin Trapp
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The German goalkeeper may well miss next Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against City after picking up an injury in a nasty-looking collision with team-mate Kurzawa.
Trapp was more or less solid at Stade du Roudourou before sustaining his knock, but Blanc may now be without as many as five regular starters with Matuidi and Luiz suspended and Marco Verratti as well as Javier Pastore, possibly out injured.
If Trapp does miss the City clash, it will be harsh on the shot-stopper after he recovered well from a rocky start to the season.
