Friday, February 1, 2013

Toulouse vs. Paris Saint Germain



A rampant Paris Saint-Germain side travel to Toulouse this evening to kick this weekend's French action off, having dominated the press this week through signing global superstar David Beckham. On the pitch Carlo Ancelotti's side are in fine form, having won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 matches, including a Coupe de France win over tonight's opponents just last month at the Parc des Princes.

Toulouse coach Alain Casanova said in his press conference that he doesn't think PSG are unbeatable, but you have to think the way they are building up momentum under Carlo Ancelotti they could start putting daylight between themselves and Lyon at the top of the table. Toulouse's annual budget is equivalent to the cost of just one of Paris' star signings, which really puts things in perspective, and whilst Paris were splashing the cash on Lucas Moura and David Beckham last month, Toulouse were forced to sell their lynchpin Moussa Sissoko. Joining Pantxi Sirieix in midfield are Adil Hermach and Adrien Rabiot - Hermach is in tonight's squad, but Rabiot isn't, and also the hosts are without Jonathan Zebina in defence.

Paris are actually brilliant on the road, having lost just one of their 12 last away games in Ligue 1, including a gutsy 1-0 win a high-flying Bordeaux last month. As for transfers, Sissoko, Rabiot and Bodmer have all been loaned out and Nene has also packed his bags, but none of those were first team players. PSG's main absentees tonight are Thiago Silva and Alex at the back, but Camara and Sakho are as good as any defenders in the league and should provide ample cover. Ibrahimovic will start up top, and knowing the Swede he will be keen to hog the limelight after it deflected onto Beckham yesterday (the Englishman won't feature here).

'Ibra' have scored in each of the eight away games he has played in in Ligue 1, and no doubt plenty of neutrals that live near Toulouse will be paying their euros to see the Swede strut his stuff tonight.

Toulouse have kept clean sheets in three of their last five league games at home, but it will be a tough ask keeping Ibrahimovic at bay this evening.


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