adminPARIS. — Paris Saint-Germain play their first home game since Laurent Blanc replaced Carlo Ancelotti as coach of the French Ligue 1 soccer champions when they entertain Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes tomorrow evening, with memories of last season’s struggles against the Corsicans still fresh.
The capital club were held to goalless draws in both meetings with Ajaccio in 2012-13, but those results did not prevent them from comfortably winning the Ligue 1 crown in May.
Former France coach Blanc has been at the helm for six weeks now, and oversaw the Champions Trophy win against Bordeaux in his first competitive game at the helm before a 1-1 draw in Montpellier in last weekend’s league opener.
In both games, PSG have had to come from behind, with Brazilian full-back Maxwell earning them a draw at the Stade de la Mosson after they had trailed at the interval against opponents who pressed and harried tirelessly.
With Corsican sides renowned for their aggression, and Ajaccio coach Fabrizio Ravanelli determined to make his team difficult to beat, PSG could face a frustrating evening tomorrow.
However, Blanc will hope that €64 million record signing Edinson Cavani can have an impact on his home debut after almost scoring as a substitute in Montpellier.
“Certainly,” Blanc said when asked if the Uruguayan former Napoli striker, who started pre-season training late, will feature against Ajaccio. “But the question is will he start. That is a decision we will take. He is a little bit behind with his preparation and has had some fitness problems.”
Ajaccio lost 1-0 to Saint-Etienne last weekend, but Ravanelli will relish the occasion in the capital having already experienced the heat of the Parc des Princes during his days as a Marseille player. In November 1997, the Italian striker played a central part in a controversial victory at the ground for PSG’s bitter rivals, diving to win a penalty that was converted by . . . Laurent Blanc.
“It is a great thing to return to Paris, especially as a coach. It is a real pleasure,” said Ravanelli.
“We know we will be playing against an extraordinary team with extraordinary means. But even if we lose we will come out with our heads held high, because we know we can enjoy a good season.”
Earlier tomorrow, Monaco, tipped as PSG’s most likely title challengers, will look to build on their opening-day win at Bordeaux when they welcome Montpellier to the Stade Louis II.
Claudio Ranieri’s side. a mixture of expensive summer acquisitions and exciting young talent, won 2-0 in Bordeaux, with Radamel Falcao netting a debut goal after his 60 million-euro move from Atletico Madrid.
Fixtures
Today: Marseille v Evian-Thonon-Gaillard; Bastia v Valenciennes; Nice v Rennes; Reims v Lille; Saint-Etienne v Guingamp; Toulouse v Bordeaux
Tomorrow: Monaco v Montpellier; Lorient v Nantes; Paris Saint-Germain v Ajaccio — AFP.
Online Reporter