16 August 2007, by Lorna Danion

Pauleta opens account in PSG defeat

Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Lorient

Pedro Pauleta scored on his return to the Paris Saint-Germain line-up, but was unable to prevent his side from a surprise home defeat to Lorient at the Parc Des Princes.

Three goals in the last twenty minutes stunned the side from the capital, who had led through Pauleta’s goal from a first half they dominated, but paid the price for losing their concentration in the final stages.

Pauleta has been the subject of much speculation recently after admitting that he is considering his future at the club, but the Azorean showed his class ten minutes before the break when he controlled Jerome Rothen’s crossfield pass to calmly poke the ball past Fabien Audard from ten metres.


You Tube: see Pauleta open his account for the 2007/08 season


Despite his contribution, Pauleta found himself substituted after Lorient turned the game around with a quickfire double from Marama Vahirua, who smashed home from close range with his left foot, before putting his side ahead with an excellent right-footed finish four minutes later.

Rafik Saifi sealed the win with a late penalty, and PSG now drop to 17th place in Ligue 1 after two draws and one defeat from their opening three games.

Paris Saint-Germain:
Landreau, Mendy, Armand, Camara, Bourillon, Digard (Gallardo, 70), Clement, Rothen, Frau (Chantome, 76), Luyindula, Pauleta (Diane, 76)
Yellow Cards: Pauleta

Lorient:
Audard, Morel, Ciana, Boutruche (Hautcoeur, 63), Abriel, Ewolo (Mansouri, 63), Jallet, Marin, Vahirua (Cantareil, 77), Namouchi, Saifi
Yellow Cards: Mansouri, Hautcoeur

Goals:
[1-0] Pauleta, 36
[1-1] Vahirua, 70
[1-2] Vahirua, 74
[1-3] Saifi, 90 (pen)