Doubts over PSG remain
Source: Agencies |
March 8, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
QUESTIONS remain as to how good Paris Saint-Germain is after the big-spending Ligue 1 leader enjoyed a relatively easy ride into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
PSG reached the last eight for the first time in 18 years, squeezing past Valencia 3-2 on aggregate with a 1-1 home draw on Wednesday having only for about 10 minutes looked in danger of being knocked out.
Valencia went 1-0 up courtesy of a Jonas strike in the 55th minute but Ezequiel Lavezzi equalized in the 66th.
The club has spent 200 million euros (US$260.394 million) on transfers since Qatari investors took over in 2011 so expectations are high, but despite its place in the last eight, PSG has yet to be really tested.
It played Porto, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb in group games, winning five of the six matches.
"I do not know if we can go all the way," said coach Carlo Ancelotti, who took over from Antoine Kombouare in December 2011.
PSG's undeniable qualities are offset by worrying shortcomings when it comes to inspiration.
It relies on a backbone of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, center back Thiago Silva, midfielder Blaise Matuidi and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic has netted 22 goals from 24 games in Ligue 1 but was suspended on Wednesday and his creative spirit was sorely missed.
PSG reached the last eight for the first time in 18 years, squeezing past Valencia 3-2 on aggregate with a 1-1 home draw on Wednesday having only for about 10 minutes looked in danger of being knocked out.
Valencia went 1-0 up courtesy of a Jonas strike in the 55th minute but Ezequiel Lavezzi equalized in the 66th.
The club has spent 200 million euros (US$260.394 million) on transfers since Qatari investors took over in 2011 so expectations are high, but despite its place in the last eight, PSG has yet to be really tested.
It played Porto, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb in group games, winning five of the six matches.
"I do not know if we can go all the way," said coach Carlo Ancelotti, who took over from Antoine Kombouare in December 2011.
PSG's undeniable qualities are offset by worrying shortcomings when it comes to inspiration.
It relies on a backbone of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, center back Thiago Silva, midfielder Blaise Matuidi and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic has netted 22 goals from 24 games in Ligue 1 but was suspended on Wednesday and his creative spirit was sorely missed.
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