With the build-up of the PSG - Racing Santander match, Paul Le Guen's guarded comments of not sacrificing the UEFA Cup but additionally that Ligue 1 was the priority, it was unclear how he'd truly approach the match. With Claude Makélélé, Ludovic Giuly, Guillaume Hoarau and Stéphane Sessegnon out of the lineup, I think it is safe to say the goal of this match was to put out a "fine effort" but not jeopardize the weekend affair against Stade Rennais. It's a debatable point at this time but it certainly appears that PSG cares little of being involved in the UEFA Cup and accepting of not making it through to the next round.Mateja Kežman opened the scoring five minutes into the match as he capitalized on a loose ball just outside the area and slammed it into the back of the net. Péguy Luyindula doubled the margin two minutes after the half-hour mark, as a beneficiary of a Jérôme Rothen through-ball but with five minutes to the break Sammy Traoré was the unfortunate victim of an own goal. Ten minutes after the re-start Racing Santander's Gonzalo Colsa brought the match level driving the ball behind Mickaël Landreau from twenty-five meters out. In the final twenty minutes Guillaume Hoarau and Stéphane Sessegnon were brought-in as PSG hunted for the equalizer but it wasn't to come and match ended in a 2-2 draw.
For dedicated PSG followers, don't fret about this match because it is painfully obvious how it isn't truly considered important by Paul Le Guen or the executive branch. While I completely disagree with the approach, it doesn't appear that it will change.
PSG returns to action this weekend against Stade Rennais.
