Paris St. Germain (PSG)

2.79

• 
  4

  0

  3.00

  Salvatore Sirigu

  Did not really have a great deal to do throughout this encounter. Andre tried to surprise him with a dangerous shot at the end, but that was dealt with well by the Italian.

• 
  7

  0

  3.00

  Thiago Silva

  Perhaps a little shy of his usual commanding self in the heart of the PSG defence, but this was not a bad performance from the ex-AC Milan star. Typically solid, but had to be taken off early in the second half with what appeared to be a muscle problem.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Alex

  Went close with a header in the first half and was then incredibly denied by Ochoa in the second, but as a defensive presence, the former Chelsea man was not regularly required. What he had to do, he accomplished well.

• 
  4

  0

  3.00

  Maxwell

  Normally fairly measured with regards to his attacking raids, but with Ajaccio playing so deep, the Brazilian was able to push forward regularly. More cautious after the break, understandably.

• 
  3

  1

  3.00

  Christophe Jallet

  Regularly found a great deal of space to attack down the right-hand side, and the full-back exploited this impressively. A valuable offensive outlet, but did not produce a telling cross.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Blaise Matuidi

  Continues to be one of PSG’s outstanding players, showing poise and energy in the centre of the park. Burst forward into the Ajaccio box on numerous occasions as he made a menace of himself. A very confident performance and he was a real driving force. Did miss a great chance to open the scoring, though.

• 
  2

  4

  2.50

  Javier Pastore

  Another very limited display from the Argentine, who had, admittedly, looked rather brighter towards the end of 2012. Replaced by Clement Chantome at the interval.

• 
  2

  2

  1.50

  Thiago Motta Flop of the Match

  Shot just wide in the early stages of the match after being set up by Ibrahimovic, but the Italy international was typically found in a deeper role acting as more of a metronome for his side. Released Ibra with a terrific pass on the half-hour mark but was dismissed on the stroke of half time for a crude foul on Sammaritano.

• 
  30

  3

  3.50

  Lucas

  Thrust immediately into Ligue 1 action, the Brazilian made a bright impression early on by beating a couple of opponents. Combined nicely with his team-mates and showed plenty of energy and appetite. Very promising indeed.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Ezequiel Lavezzi

  Started to really excel in the PSG side towards the end of last year, and he built on this momentum with a bright start down the left. Faded out of the game somewhat, and as he did, PSG’s threat faded.

• 
  4

  7

  2.50

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  The mercurial striker did not have his most active evening, and will have been disappointed to have fluffed a chance to give his side the lead with 30 minutes of the game gone after being released brilliantly by Thiago Motta. Ajaccio’s packed defence restricted him well, and when he escaped them, Ochoa denied him.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Mamadou Sakho

  Arrived early in the second half as Thiago Silva limped off and was solid.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Clément Chantôme

  Introduced at half-time to try and provide some stability after Thiago Motta was sent off. Gave a steady performance.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Kevin Gameiro

  Given a brief late cameo.

AC Ajaccio

2.92

• 
  26

  0

  4.00

  Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Top of the Match

  Produced an outstanding save as Alex fired a header at goal early in the second half and deserved a cleansheet for his efforts. Might have expected to be busier, but the Mexican once again showed his credentials as one of the league’s top shot-stoppers.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  Yoann Poulard

  Solid performance in the heart of the Ajaccio defence, in which his experience was vital. Was not always graceful, but he was happy simply to be effective. Produced a terrific saving challenge late on when Maxwell appeared in position to score.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Arnaud Maire

  Guilty of lunging needlessly into some tackles, thereby giving away position or free kicks around the box. Despite this, his aggressiveness was a vital component of the Ajaccio defending, and more often than not he got it right when going to ground.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Samuel Bouhours

  Was unable to get forward to any great effect, but on an evening in which defensive solidarity was key, this was no great issue for the Corsican side. Competed well with Ibrahimovic.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Felipe Saad

  Had obviously been asked to play narrow in the back four, but this simply allowed Jallet room to exploit down his flank. As a result, a number of crosses came in from his wing, but he did well to limit these.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Benjamin Andre

  The France Under-21 international is generally noted for his attacking prowess, but on this occasion he was forced into a right-back role as Fousseni Diawara is away on international duty. Difficult circumstances, but the youngster did well.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi

  Did not offer anything spectacular in the centre of the field, but the midfielder was a solid presence for the Corsican side.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Paul Lasne

  Played a defensive role in the heart of the midfield, where he was happy to guard the defence before being slightly more adventurous after the break. The ex-Bordeaux player did give up a couple of cheap free kicks, however.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Frédéric Sammaritano

  Struggled to make any kind of offensive impact in this match, the player once dubbed ‘the next Valbuena’ was restricted largely to a defensive brief. To his credit, he did not shirk his responsibilities, but was booked for a foul on Lucas.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Adrian Mutu

  At the beginning of the season, the veteran Romanian said he would out-score Ibrahimovic, but continues to be a frustrating presence in Ajaccio’s attack. Did at least manage to flash a shot into the side netting, but a fluffed free kick in a promising position was more characteristic of his performance.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Eduardo

  Utterly anonymous for long periods – particularly in the first half. It was a bold move for new Ajaccio boss Albert Emon to play two in attack, yet the Brazilian was little more than a first line of defence. Struggled to even get a touch. Taken off with 20 minutes left.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Fabrice Begeorgi

  Arrived on the field at half-time and showed some nice touches in the second period.

• 
  0

  0

  Anthony Lippini

  Played the final seconds.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Andy Delort

  Made just his fifth appearance of the season off the bench with 20 minutes to go. Booked for dissent within seconds of his arrival but was very willing.