PSG were able to see of Olympic Marseille in the Coupe de France competition thanks to goals from Di Maria and Edison Cavani. This was their first outing after the news of Neymer’s injury yesterday and the Paris club was quick to clear doubt already be felt in the capital ahead of next week match against Real Madrid in the champions league.
Unai Emery fielded Angel di Maria in place of injured Neymer while Julian Draxler was introduced in the midfield with the German playing behind Cavani. Olympic Marseille retained 5 of the players that started on Sunday. The game began on a nice note though over-shadowed by the absence of the Brazilian. The first attempt on goal came from the host at the 8th but Mandanda was able to keep the score line at even. Cavani should have gifted PSG the lead after beautiful work from Di Maria within the first 10 minutes but the Uruguayans attempt was wasteful and flew over the bar. Marseille had an attempt on goal at the 37th minute but Thauvin’s effort narrowly misses the target.
Mandanda was eventually beaten by a Di Maria’s attempt barely before the end of the first interval with Draxler. The Argentine netted again 3 minutes after he was able to meet Yurin’s low cross down the left flank. The second goal realistically ended the game as a contest. PSG almost had their third goal barely 2 minutes after the half hour mark but Draxler’s acrobatic bicycle effort missed the near post by an inch. Mandanda still unmoved by the two goals he have conceded was still able to make a crucial save to deny Pastore’s diving header from entering the net. The Frenchman was eventually beaten by Edinson Cavani who made up for his earlier miss in the match by netting a stunning goal after build-up from Verratti and Draxler.
The result lead credence to fact that Angel di Maria is to play a big role if the French club will turn around its fortunes next in the champion’s league. The absence of Neymer avails the Argentine the chance to prove his worth again in the big screens of the champion’s league. Unai Emrey might need to introduce Julian Draxler as the german offers attacking option to the side.