Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguyan forward Edinson Cavani (left) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Troyes at the Parc des Princes stadium.
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Laurent Blanc changed the formation for the first half, moving from his normal 4-3-3 to playing Lucas Moura and Angel Di Maria wide in a 4-4-2 system.
Unfortunately, the Uruguayan appeared to confront Blanc over his decision to withdraw the PSG No. 9 after 80 minutes and the former SSC Napoli man could find himself out of the starting XI for at least one of next week’s two Ligue 1 games.
Layvin Kurzawa added a third with a stylish finish midway through the second half before teenage substitute Jean-Kevin Augustin notched his first senior goal late on.
The Parisians have won their last eight on the spin in Ligue 1 and are unbeaten in 26 home league matches, winning 20.
Thiago Silva went close to giving the hosts the lead soon afterwards when his header from Di Maria’s corner was cleared off the line, but Troyes’ respite was brief.
Cavani scored for PSG, but a sideline spat with Laurent Blanc may harm his chances of being picked next week.
A penalty was awarded when Lucas was brought down inside the area by Chris Mavinga and Ibrahimovic stepped up to send Paul Bernardoni the wrong way from the spot and score his 10th league goal of the campaign. – Corentin Jean is the only Troyes player to have scored more than one goal in Ligue 1 2015/16.
After being out of the game for two-and-a-half years, 54-year-old Frenchman took charge of Lille this week – replacing Herve Renard after he was sacked with Lille hovering just above the relegation zone.
Pre-match, Blanc touched on the youth academy graduates now pushing for game time with the first team.
In the first few minutes of the game it already looked ominous as the hosts forced a reflex save from the Troyes goalkeeper.
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The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and other sporting superstars appeared on a video played on big screens with each repeating the slogan “Je Suis Paris” (I am Paris) that PSG also sported on their shirts. PSG will be aiming to increase their 15-point cushion at the top of Le Championnat before they welcome an out of sorts Olympique Lyonnais side to Parc des Princes in a fortnight.
