Paris Saint-Germain rallied from a goal down for a labored 3-1 win at second-division AC Ajaccio on Wednesday as the holders reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue, while LOSC Lille Metropole and AS Monaco advanced on penalties.
Despite a run of two successive defeats, PSG coach Laurent Blanc fielded a B-team for the trip to Corsica, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta all being rested.
PSG’s unbeaten season ended at Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and they slipped to a first Ligue 1 defeat at En Avant de Guingamp last weekend.
Photo: AFP
On Wednesday, the team struggled to create chances and exposed themselves to counterattacks in the first half, with the hosts taking the lead in the 27th minute when Johan Cavalli converted a penalty after Mouaad Madri was fouled by Serge Aurier.
Blanc’s side improved after the interval and Edinson Cavani leveled in the 55th minute from Lucas’ assist, before Aurier made amends for his mishap by giving PSG the lead with a header 10 minutes from time.
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck completed the win by steering the ball home four minutes later from Lucas’ cross.
Monaco goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg saved Jordan Ferri’s shot from the spot during the penalty shootout to send his team through against Olympique Lyonnais, after the teams were deadlocked at 1-1.
Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, who missed a penalty in extra-time, put the Principality side ahead in the 97th minute, before Alexandre Lacazette leveled for Lyon from Yoann Gourcuff’s cutback.
Lille came out on top of their match against Griondins de Bordeaux with a 6-5 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
AS Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier put on a show-stopping performance, with several decisive saves and midfielder Romain Hamouma scored the winner in a 1-0 win for Les Verts.
Guingamp posted a fifth straight win in all competitions, advancing with a 2-0 win at AC Arles-Avignon courtesy of goals from Christophe Mandanne and Claudio Beauvue, while Sylvain Armand scored the winner as Stade Rennais defeated Union Sportive Creteil-Lusitanos 1-0.
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