PSG 5-0 Monaco: end of the road in the Coupe de France

With a much-changed starting line-up, Leonardo Jardim’s men went down to a 5-0 defeat in Paris in the semi-final of the Coupe de France.

Faced with a hectic schedule of Ligue 1 and Champions League matches, Leonardo Jardim opted to rotate his squad and promote the Monegasque youth in this Coupe de France semi-final against PSG. Muyumba, Beaulieu, Andzouana and Mbae from the CFA reserves all starting against the cup holders.

The first twenty-five minutes were a reflection of those young players, full of spirit and daring! While the Parisians saw more of the ball, the chances were Red & White. First Thiago Silva came close to turning a Germain shot past his own ‘keeper (19 mins). Moments later, Cardona picked up the ball on the left and crossed for Diallo to power a header towards goal that was deflected away by Areloa (20 mins). But against an experienced PSG side, Leonardo Jardim’s young charges were on the ropes for the remainder of the first half, as Draxler (26 mins) and Cavani (32 mins) took advantage of space to put their team on course for the final. The Parisians led 2-0 at the break.

There was a nightmare start to the second half for the Monaco defence, as PSG monopolised possesion. From Di Maria’s cross, the ball deflected off Mbae’s thigh and past De Sanctis (50’). Two minutes later, Matuidi netted his side’s fourth after Jorge lost the ball. Bongiovanni and Dabila came on in place of Germain and Raggi for the rest of the game. Marquinhos scored the fifth and final PSG goal with the clock ticking into added time. AS Monaco will not play at the Stade de France this season. The focus now returns to Ligue 1, with the visit of Toulouse on Saturday (kick-off at 17.00).

Source: www.asmonaco.com and www.mirror.co.uk