26 February, by Sean Gillen

Landreau and woodwork deny PSG

Nantes 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Pedro Pauleta had a lively afternoon as Paris Saint Germain’s winless run stretched to five games despite an impressive performance at La Beaujoire.

An open start to the game saw Pauleta create PSG’s first chance after six minutes. The striker’s left foot cross was met at the far post by Christophe Landrin but goalkeeper Michael Landreau kept the ball out.

The Nantes ‘keeper would stop the visitors on two more occasions before half time. After saving from Fabrice Pancrate, Landreau produced an excellent reaction save to deny Bonaventure Kalou, who had connected well with the ball after it had broken to him following a corner.

Nantes’ only chance of the half came when Jerome Alonzo saved a shot from Mamadou Diallo, as the hard-working Parisians went into half time having been the more threatening side.

Pauleta rattles woodwork

Pauleta was presented with an excellent opportunity just three minutes into the second half. The ball broke for PSG on the edge of the box and Landrin’s pass found the Portuguese striker but he saw his finish hit the inside of the post and from a tight angle, he fired the rebound wide.

Ivorian forward Kalou brought another good save out of Landreau as Paris SG and Pauleta in particular caused the home side plenty of problems, but could still not find a breakthrough.

The visitor’s hopes of finding a goal suffered a setback when defender Sylvain Armand was sent-off for two yellow cards on his return to his old club. Coach Guy Lacombe then sacrificed attacker Pancrate in order to replace Armand with Bernard Mendy, resulting in a more defensive system.

With fewer men in the attacking third, PSG lost their impetus. The game began to fizzle out and a 0-0 scoreline became inevitable, with Nantes unable to take their rare half chances in the closing stages.

PSG’s reliance on Pauleta’s goals has been evident in recent weeks. When the Azorean doesn’t score, the team struggles for results. Pauleta and company will be hoping for a quick turnaround in fortunes, with the gap between PSG and a Champions League spot standing at five points and a meeting with arch rivals Marseille in Paris next week.

Nantes:
Landreau, Signorino, Guillon, Cetto, Savinaud, Fae, Toulalan, Da Rocha, Rossi (Ca, 52), Bamogo, Diallo (Glombard, 81)
Yellow Cards: Toulalan (61)

Paris Saint-Germain
Alonzo (Letizi, 46), Pichot, Armand, Rozehnal, Yepes, Cisse, M’Bami, Landrin, Pancrate (Mendy, 70), Kalou (Rodriguez, 87), Pauleta
Yellow Cards: Cisse (46), Armand (50, 69)
Red Cards: Armand (69)