PSG advances in Coupe de la Ligue

PSG advanced in the Coupe de la Ligue with a convincing 2-0 victory over Nancy Lorraine in front of a modest crowd of under 16,000 at Parc des Princes. As expected Paul Le Guen used an alternative lineup with Mateja Kežman and Péguy Luyindula paired up-top with Mickaël Landreau, Guillaume Hoarau, Claude Makélélé and Ludovic Giuly excluded from the starting grid for this weekends tussle against Havre AC. The striking combination worked to a charm with with Péguy Luyindula scoring twice at the half-hour mark and six minutes later with Mateja Kežman providing. PSG now advances to the quarter-finals with RC Lens, Girondins de Bordeaux, Vannes OC, Nice, LB Châteauroux, Havre AC and FC Metz who upset Olympique Lyonnais.

Coupe de la Ligue v Nancy Lorraine

As PSG moves forward in defending their Coupe de la Ligue crown, Paul Le Guen has a number of difficult decisions to make. At present they are only four points from third-place Bordeaux and showing signs of brilliance after a year where disaster was narrowly averted. Yet optimism is tempered with inconsistent play that partially stems from fatigue of its more "mature" Footballers. As the season winds on, along with the wear and tear of UEFA Cup action, Paul Le Guen must choose on how to approach the defense of the Coupe de la Ligue and whether focus should be on league play. Clearly the dreary play following the l'OM triumph must serve as evidence that the less-than ample bench depth must be dealt with or goals of a European bid will fall short. With the Parisians facing five matches in the next seventeen days it is quite possible that numerous changes are in-store for the Coupe de la Ligue encounter against Nancy Lorraine. It is expected that Mickaël Landreau will rest a weary shoulder with Apoula Edima Bete Edel between the pipes. Ceará is equally expected to rest an injury with further questions of Claude Makélélé being replaced with Clément Chantôme and Ludovic Giuly resting with Mateja Kežman, Fabrice Pancrate and Péguy Luyindula up-front.

I will report on the match as it concludes.