Played
August 19, 2012 3:00 PM EDT
Stade François Coty — Ajaccio
Referee: C. Turpin
Attendance: 9402
August 19, 2012 3:00 PM EDT
Stade François Coty — Ajaccio
Referee: C. Turpin
Attendance: 9402
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Francisco Guillermo Ochoa
AC Ajaccio
AC Ajaccio
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Ajaccio 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain: Ochoa keeps clean sheet
It was a frustrating evening in Corsica for the big-spending capital club, which was held scoreless by the pugnacious host, leaving it with only two points in as many matches.
By Robin Bairner
Panoramic
Paris Saint-Germain's tepid start to the Ligue 1 campaign continued on Sunday night as it was frustrated in a 0-0 draw away in Ajaccio, with Ezequiel Lavezzi dismissed around the hour mark. Mexican international Guillermo Ochoa kept a clean sheet.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who started the match without high-profile summer signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, offered little offensively over the course of the game, although Jeremy Menez should have scored from close range in the first half. The visitor actually came closest to winning the match, with Eduardo striking the post.
Even at the outset of the match, it was Ajaccio that showed the greater energy and verve on a hot Corsican evening. Ricardo Faty’s cross from the right was turned on by Johan Cavalli to the free Sigamary Diarra, but the winger, who was free at the back post, failed to control the ball sufficiently to threat Salvatore Sirigu properly.
For all the host's early energy, it was largely limited going forward, and the Italian would be infrequently tested. Eduardo did make the occasional dangerous incursion, but as the half wore on, PSG's influence increased.
Javier Pastore had a quiet match, yet it was his searching pass that unlocked the home rearguard. Nene gathered the ball on the left wing before squaring for Menez, whose effort from inside the six-yard box was superbly blocked by Guillermo Ochoa.
Before the interval, Nene would twice threaten from free kicks. His first was a direct effort on goal that flew just over, and the second was a cross that ultimately ended with Clement Chantome tamely heading at Ochoa.
These efforts were rather isolated bright spots for PSG in the opening period, and after the interval it was equally well restricted by the rugged and determined hosts. The frustration the visitor was feeling became clear when Lavezzi rashly challenged Bejamin Andre and was deservedly shown a red card for a two-footed stamp on the midfielder.
By this point, Eduardo had already pounced on a loose Mamadou Sakho pass to hit the post, heightening the pressure on the guest.
With around 10 minutes remaining, Ancelotti was dismissed from the dugout, having kicked out at a water bottle in a show of pique.
Ajaccio would not commit too many players forward, aware that a point was not a bad result against a powerful outfit, and opportunities in the closing stages of the match were rare. Their attacks were largely measured, but while adopting a more offensive stance, they were sure to keep things tight at the back.
Deep into stoppage time, the drama was added to as the floodlights failed, but there was no time once play restarted for either team to fashion an opening.
Though the host settled happily for a draw, preserving its unbeaten home record in 2012, PSG has now failed to win either of its opening two matches and come under significant pressure heading into difficult matches against Bordeaux and Lille.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who started the match without high-profile summer signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, offered little offensively over the course of the game, although Jeremy Menez should have scored from close range in the first half. The visitor actually came closest to winning the match, with Eduardo striking the post.
Even at the outset of the match, it was Ajaccio that showed the greater energy and verve on a hot Corsican evening. Ricardo Faty’s cross from the right was turned on by Johan Cavalli to the free Sigamary Diarra, but the winger, who was free at the back post, failed to control the ball sufficiently to threat Salvatore Sirigu properly.
For all the host's early energy, it was largely limited going forward, and the Italian would be infrequently tested. Eduardo did make the occasional dangerous incursion, but as the half wore on, PSG's influence increased.
Javier Pastore had a quiet match, yet it was his searching pass that unlocked the home rearguard. Nene gathered the ball on the left wing before squaring for Menez, whose effort from inside the six-yard box was superbly blocked by Guillermo Ochoa.
Before the interval, Nene would twice threaten from free kicks. His first was a direct effort on goal that flew just over, and the second was a cross that ultimately ended with Clement Chantome tamely heading at Ochoa.
These efforts were rather isolated bright spots for PSG in the opening period, and after the interval it was equally well restricted by the rugged and determined hosts. The frustration the visitor was feeling became clear when Lavezzi rashly challenged Bejamin Andre and was deservedly shown a red card for a two-footed stamp on the midfielder.
By this point, Eduardo had already pounced on a loose Mamadou Sakho pass to hit the post, heightening the pressure on the guest.
With around 10 minutes remaining, Ancelotti was dismissed from the dugout, having kicked out at a water bottle in a show of pique.
Ajaccio would not commit too many players forward, aware that a point was not a bad result against a powerful outfit, and opportunities in the closing stages of the match were rare. Their attacks were largely measured, but while adopting a more offensive stance, they were sure to keep things tight at the back.
Deep into stoppage time, the drama was added to as the floodlights failed, but there was no time once play restarted for either team to fashion an opening.
Though the host settled happily for a draw, preserving its unbeaten home record in 2012, PSG has now failed to win either of its opening two matches and come under significant pressure heading into difficult matches against Bordeaux and Lille.
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Final
scheduled
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Striker Paris St. Germain (PSG) |
30 | 4 |
|
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Striker AS Saint-Etienne |
19 | 1 |
|
Darío Cvitanich Striker OGC Nice |
18 | 5 |
|
Bafetimbi Gomis Striker Olympique Lyonnais |
16 | 4 |
|
Anthony Modeste Striker SC Bastia |
15 | 3 |
