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Coupe de France | Third Round
Apr 8, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Saint-Etienne

4-1

Ibrahimovic (21' pen., 81', 92'), Lavezzi (60')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Hamouma (25')

Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Saint-Etienne

Sports Mole previews the Coupe de France semi-final between PSG and Saint-Etienne as Laurent Blanc's side hope to keep their domestic quadruple hopes alive.

Paris Saint-Germain begin a crucial cup double header with the visit of Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France semi-finals on Wednesday night.

The Ligue 1 champions end the week with the Coupe de la Ligue final against Bastia as they chase what would be a historic domestic quadruple.



PSG

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Adrien Rabiot (R) is congratuled by Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Toulouse (TFC) on February 21© Getty Images

This could prove to be a watershed season for the Parisians. They have no doubt taken big strides since the Qatari takeover of 2011, but they are yet to truly establish themselves as a dominant force at home.

They may have claimed consecutive Ligue 1 crowns, but PSG have not cantered to the title as the likes of Bayern Munich and PSV Eindhoven have across Europe, and this season's championship race is also too close to call.

A crucial 3-2 victory over third-placed Marseille on Sunday sent them back to the summit with seven games remaining. Laurent Blanc's side twice cancelled out Andre-Pierre Gignac goals before an own goal settled matters.

As many as four teams remain in the running, but, should PSG see themselves home from here, it could be one of five trophies that they are lifting at the end of the campaign, and that would send out a message heard across the continent.

Although an upcoming Champions League tie against Barcelona appears more glamorous, the Coupe de France is perhaps a more attainable piece of silverware for the capital outfit and their focus must be on Saint-Etienne.

Blanc's side have had a testing path to the last four, but prevailed in ties against Montpellier and Bordeaux before edging past AS Monaco in the quarters. Les Verts represent another top-seven foe and not one to be taken lightly.

Recent form in all competitions: WWDLWW



Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne French midfielder Yohan Mollo celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Saint-Etienne (ASSE) and Lorient (FCL) on March 8, 2015© Getty Images

Christophe Galtier's side may have considered themselves title contenders prior to their 1-1 draw with Monaco on Friday.

They would have been seven points adrift of PSG by close of gameweek 31 had they been able to hang on to a lead which was given to them by Mevlut Erding's strike.

Les Verts now have too much ground to make up, and can therefore focus all of their efforts on trying to secure their first Coupe de France triumph since 1977.

They are certainly in good enough form to cause an upset against the French champions. Saint-Etienne are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, and have won on three of their previous four outings.

While PSG have reached the last four the hard way, Saint-Etienne have yet to face top-flight opposition in their cup run this season.

However, they were almost dumped out by Boulogne in the last round, only to overcome the third-tier side via a penalty shootout.

Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWD



Team News

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender David Luiz (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match against Lens on March 7, 2015© Getty Images

PSG's hopes of maintaining their challenge on four fronts were dealt a double blow against Marseille as David Luiz and Thiago Motta limped off. Blanc expects them both to miss the remainder of the campaign with hamstring problems.

That places even more responsibility on youngsters such as Marquinhos and Adrien Rabiot, who is likely to be preferred to the reportedly unsettled Yohan Cabaye as Motta's midfield deputy.

There should be a recall at right-back for Gregory van der Weil, while Ezequiel Lavezzi may also return to the side to join Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.

Injuries have also struck Saint-Etienne at just the wrong time. Midfielders Romain Hamouma and Jeremy Clement are major doubts after joining 10-goal top scorer Max Gradel, formerly of Leeds United, in the treatment room.

Galtier could name an unchanged side, with Erding preferred to Norwich City loanee Ricky van Wolfswinkel as Gradel's replacement, but he might consider bolstering his midfield with the addition of Benjamin Corgnet.

PSG possible starting lineup:
Sirigu; Van der Weil, Marquinhos, Silva, Maxwell; Rabiot, Verratti, Matuidi; Lavezzi, Cavani, Ibrahimovic

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Ruffier; Theophile-Catherine, Perrin, Tabanou, Clerc; Mollo, N'Guemo, Lemoine, Corgnet, Diomande; Erding



Head To Head

PSG have already knocked Les Verts out of a cup competition this season, having beaten them 1-0 in the early rounds of the Coupe de la Ligue.

In fact, the Parisians have an aggregate scoreline of 7-0 in their three victories over Saint-Etienne already this season and have not lost to them in eight matches.


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We say: PSG 3-1 Saint-Etienne

Blanc's men have a very good recent record against Saint-Etienne and that could continue this week. They may not be at full strength defensively, but should be backed to outscore a visiting side who are without their top marksman.



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Written by
Joe Fish
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Laurent Blanc the PSG manager looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarter final, first leg match between Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2014
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