Played
November 3, 2012 4:00 PM GMT
Parc des Princes — Paris
Referee:‬ L. Duhamel‎
Attendance:‬ 44516‎
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Saint-Etienne

Les Verts sprung a shock at Parc des Princes, and Goal.com was on hand to judge all the performances as Ibrahimovic saw red for a rash challenge

By Robin Bairner

  • Salvatore Sirigu
    6
    1
    2.50

    Salvatore Sirigu

    Did not have a great deal to do and was left helpless with both goals.

  • Thiago Silva
    7
    1
    3.00

    Thiago Silva

    Continues to be PSG’s most consistent player. Another strong performance from the Brazil centre-back, who made everything he did look classy. Made a key saving tackle on Brandao just after his side had conceded.

  • Mamadou Sakho
    3
    3
    2.50

    Mamadou Sakho

    Will make the headlines because of his own goal, but in truth the defender was rather unfortunate to see a cross cannon off his thigh and into the net. Otherwise gave a pretty solid performance.

  • Maxwell
    2
    3
    2.50

    Maxwell

    An ever-steady performer for PSG, who rarely offers anything but a good, solid performance. Offered a good outlet down the left and was typically reliable defensively.

  • Gregory van der Wiel
    2
    4
    2.50

    Gregory van der Wiel

    Was happy to push forward down the right channel, though his crossing was at times wayward, with Ruffier force to clear at his near post from a sliced centre early on. Defensively, he was once again stretched, with the pace of Gradel posing him problems and leading to a booking midway through the opening half.

  • Jérémy Menez
    2
    2
    2.50

    Jérémy Menez

    Continues to offer the main – and sometimes only – creative spark for PSG when attacking. His dribbling was a major asset to les Parisiens, though nothing came of it on this occasion.

  • Blaise Matuidi
    2
    2
    2.50

    Blaise Matuidi

    Was in the wars against Marseille in midweek and took a heavy knock in the early stages of this match that left him limping. This time did not last the duration as he limped off against his former side with less than 30 minutes played.

  • Clément Chantôme
    2
    3
    2.50

    Clément Chantôme

    Making his return after injury and struggled to really get involved in the match in an offensive sense. It was little surprise when he was withdrawn in favour of Sissoko midway through the second half.

  • Marco Verratti
    3
    2
    2.00

    Marco Verratti

    During the periods in which the Italian was able to get on the ball, PSG looked at their best, but there were significant stretches in which the youngster failed to dominate the game as Carlo Ancelotti might have linked. Was withdrawn to make way for Hoarau.

  • Javier Pastore
    3
    4
    2.00

    Javier Pastore

    A lacklustre performance from the expensive Argentine, who failed to dictate play in the centre of the field and who looked hurried in possession. Gifted possession away too easily, including in the build-up to Sainte’s goal.

  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic
    6
    7
    2.00

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic Flop of the Match

    Rested in midweek, the languid Swede came back into the side and was a threat in the early stages, though his 11th-minute one-on-one chance was saved by Ruffier. Could not argue with his red card as he clashed for a loose ball with the goalkeeper in a careless manner.

Substitutions

  • Mohamed Lamine Sissoko
    1
    5
    2.00

    Mohamed Lamine Sissoko

    Introduced midway through the second half to bring renewed energy to the midfield. Missed an opportunity to grab a leveller at the death.

  • Mathieu Bodmer
    3
    1
    3.00

    Mathieu Bodmer

    Came on for Matuidi with only 30 minutes played and gave a solid performance in the middle of the park until gifting the ball away for Saint-Etienne's second.

  • Guillaume Hoarau
    5
    0
    3.00

    Guillaume Hoarau

    Brought on to give PSG more attacking edge, but his first contribution was to fresh-air kick a bicycle kick attempt. Did better late on as he took his goal well.

  • Stéphane Ruffier
    5
    0
    3.50

    Stéphane Ruffier

    Continues to establish a reputation as one of France’s top goalkeeper. Reacted well early on to keep out a dangerous Van der Wiel cross and was then smartly from his goal to thwart Ibrahimovic, who was clean through. Was brave as he collected a loose ball in the face of a high boot from the Swede, who was dismissed for his action.

  • M. Bayal
    2
    1
    3.00

    M. Bayal

    Could have been seen as a source of weakness given his lack of first-team football this season, but the big centre-back was able to lie deep and play to his strengths. A surprisingly assured game.

  • François Clerc
    2
    0
    3.00

    François Clerc

    Deployed down the right of the field, the former France international gave a solid performance for his team. Shackled any threat coming down his channel impressively, although it must be admitted that this was somewhat limited.

  • Jérémy Clément
    2
    0
    3.50

    Jérémy Clément

    Making his return at the Parc des Princes, where he was once a mainstay of the midfield, he produced a solid performance in front of the rearguard. He was the most deep-lying of les Verts’ three outright midfielders and protected the back four well.

  • Fabien Lemoine
    2
    0
    3.50

    Fabien Lemoine

    A solid performance in the middle of the field from the ex-Rennes player, who was a lynchpin as Sainte stifled their opponents. Did not do a great deal offensively, but he specialised in the dirty work.

  • Joshua  Guilavogui
    1
    0
    3.00

    Joshua Guilavogui

    Extremely active game in the middle of the Saint-Etienne midfield, in which he showed why he has filled in so well over the last two seasons. Was industrious defensively but reserved enough energy to get forward and support the attack, at which times he used the ball sensibly.

  • Jonathan Brison
    2
    0
    3.00

    Jonathan Brison

    A steady performance in the left-back role, where he was given the awkward task of policing Menez. Although the winger got some joy against the former Nancy left-back, he was not culpable for the loss of any major chances.

  • Romain Hamouma
    1
    1
    2.50

    Romain Hamouma

    Drifted into some good positions but was unable to execute when he found himself well placed. The winger was well guarded by Maxwell on the whole.

  • Loïc Perrin
    2
    0
    3.00

    Loïc Perrin

    By no means a centre-back by trade, but he filled the role admirably once again when asked by Christophe Galtier as Saint-Etienne continue to be gripped with problems in that area.

  • Max-Alain Gradel
    3
    1
    2.50

    Max-Alain Gradel

    The former Leeds man has been in superb form in the early stages of this season and looked a slippery customer when he ran at Van der Wiel. Performed the same kind of job that Menez did for the hosts and was an unsettling influence.

  • Brandao
    1
    2
    2.50

    Brandao

    By no means the most pleasing player to watch, but he makes up for his lack of silkiness with incredible endeavour. Kept the PSG defence with their hands full, although he was unable to provide a significant threat on goal.

Substitutions

  • Alejandro Alonso
    2
    0
    3.50

    Alejandro Alonso

    Came off the bench and added offensive quality to the visiting side.

  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
    6
    1
    4.00

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Top of the Match

    Due to injury, the Gabon ace was left on the bench, but Galtier did well to keep his powder dry as he excelled when he came on. Induced the opening goal from Mamadou Sakho and then scored the second from one of Ligue 1's outstanding talents.

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