A mid-week match up will dawn upon Ligue 1 fans on Wednesday as Paris St Germain take on newly promoted Stade Malherbe Caen. The Normandy club is only 3 point back of the French champions–this will be a match where both sides will hope to capitalize on some success. It is always a wonderful blunder for fans to watch newly promoted clubs, such as Caen to take on the current heavyweights of the league. In the case of Paris, their progressive downward form will be the weakness Caen can try to take advantage of as they are only three points back of the Parisens. Paris have drawn 5 of their 7 games so far in Ligue 1, keeping them afloat in the top five, but not where they should be–at the top of the table.
FBL-EUR-C1-AJAX-PSG
Credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND / Sta
Caen on the other hand have come into their new promotion with impressive performances; notably last weekend against Toulouse, drawing the game in a 3-3 thriller. Caen invaded the defensive weakness of 14th place Toulouse, at home, by opening scoring in a scramble in the 18 yard box, with a clean finish by Florian Raspentino.
The attack savvy side are struggling to impose their style upon the Ligue 1 force, but their record hasn’t been as impressive they most likely hoped so far; out of 6 games the former Ligue 2 club has won two matches, drawing once with Toulouse away and losing to Renne, ASSE and Lille. Paris will travel to the Stade Michel d’Ornano, where Les Bleus tend to struggle–although their last match at home against Lyon, proved that Paris are just truly in a form slump no matter where they play. Caen should not be discounted as they will not allow Paris to come in and invade their home territory–as the club will not only have the dream of staying promoted until next season, but perhaps playing for an upset on Wednesday.
More from Ligue 1
- Mbappe seeking greener pastures as PSG project threatens to implode
- Kylian Mbappe informs PSG he won’t sign extension past 2024
- Ligue 1: Permutations for the final round of matches
- Three questions after PSG beat Ajaccio ahead of clash with Maccabi Haifa
- Time for PSG ‘to keep the chasing pack at distance,’ says coach Galtier
Although the squad may be turning a blind eye on their internal problems, coach Laurent Blanc is absolutely taking it seriously after their draw with Lyon last Sunday, as reported by ca.soccerway.com.
"“We’re not playing as well as a team, we’re not as sharp and we can’t seem to put things into place. We know this scenario only too well. We score the goal that should liberate us and, instead, I get the impression that we tense up. When a club’s not getting results there’s always the feeling of a malaise. The atmosphere was a bit more relaxed last year with the results we had. The players are all disappointed and we’re realistic enough to know we’re not at our best.”"
Perhaps it will be Caen’s match goal in order to reinvent their previous nightmare match up of 2008 where the Normandy side won 3-0 over Les Bleus. Of course three years of Qatari Investments have changed that dream, but money cannot change the poor attitude of the club–it the descent becomes worse by Wednesday, Caen could have their wish or close to it.
Revon Plus Grand!