PSG 1-0 Auxerre: The good, the bad and the ugly

By: Dean | November 28th, 2009

A single goal from Jeremy Clement was enough to condemn league leaders Auxerre to their 4th league defeat of the season. Clement rose unmarked to head in a cross by Brazilian fullback Ceara in the 66th minute.

In a game that never really set the heart racing, it was the referee and his assistant who stole the show after failing to award a blatant penalty for the away side a minute after the opener.

The good

Fernandez decided to start Contout up front in the absence of Jelen, and the guy ran his socks off all night. He almost scored in the 1st half after dancing his way through the PSG defense only to drag his shot into the side netting. He played admirably, fighting for the team, running here, there and everywhere – and eager to please.

The away side never looked in any real danger in the opening half, and their game plan of soaking up pressure then counter-attacking seemed to be working quite nicely.

PSG v Auxerre

Auxerre should have taken the lead, first within the opening ten when Contout sped past a pedestrian Ludovic Giuly, before playing in Niculae whose shot was well kept out by Coupet. Then on the half hour. Contout’s pace got him in behind the home defence again, only his over-hit cross was narrowly missed by the galloping Niculae, who would have had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

The bad

Fernandez must have been disappointed with the goal. His defence failed to track the run by Ceara who had an eternity to look up, tie his shoelaces and find his man. The marking inside the box was schoolboy stuff. Three PSG players were ready to attack the cross, only Clement got their first, with Coulibaly jumping yards behind as the ball fizzed in past the apathetic Sorin. At least Coulibaly’s “hop” allowed him to get a decent view of the finish.

The only criticism towards Contout is that the guy is too lightweight to play up front on his own, as against bulkier defenders he gets bulldozed far too easily off the ball. He tended to drift in a deeper role to pick up possession because he was out of his depth plugging away against monsters like Sakho and Camara.

After conceding, Auxerre lost belief and became sloppy. I can’t remember any memorable chances in the second, just the penalty appeal and a few speculative efforts from Niculae.

The ugly

The ref and his assistant choked in front of the home fans by failing to award a clear-cut penalty for a cynical foul by Sakho on Contout. They sat on the fence, granting the foul yet awarding it just outside the penalty area. The decision was embarrassing. Contout’s foot was clearly planted inside the area when Sakho slid in to take the man and miss the ball completely.

Auxerre were unlucky with certain decisions, and on another day could easily have stolen all three points. It’s not a huge disappointment, just a blip. Fernandez’s men need to get back on that horse, pronto.

A final mention must go out to PSG goalkeeper Gregory Coupet who fractured his leg. It’s never nice to see a player suffer such a horrific ordeal, with reports suggesting the French stopper will be out for the rest of the season. Get well soon Coupet.

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