Just after receiving his PSG gift from Christophe Galtier – a shirt in his name autographed by the Parisians – Michel Denisot, the historic Parisian president, now stationed in Châteauroux, thought of the spectators “probably a little disappointed so as not to see the stars”, this Friday January 6 in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France.
He was thinking there of the absence for the first time of the season of the entire trio Mbappé, Messi, Neymar. But, faced with the unedited composition of PSG, where Galtier had chosen to throw three titi – Bitshiabu (17 years), Zaire-Emery (16 years) and Gharbi (18 years) – Michael Denisot he launched: “Well, well, we’ll see, maybe there will be some revelations and we’ll say: we were there! »
A goal gag right away
The 77-year-old seasoned journalist felt that the evening would necessarily be special. It was especially so for Ismaël Gharbi, author of an inspired pass to offer Ekitike the first goal (0-1, 13th). On the other hand, El Chadaille Bitshiabu also stood out but having fun in a gag way shot by Natanael Ntolla Thio who deceives Navas (1-1, 37th). This draw gave hope to Berrichonne who until then seemed very limited.
As if stunned, the Parisians, retreated despite Marquinhos’s incessant grand gestures of arms to stay as high up as possible. And Nolan Roux, at his 34 years of age, almost took advantage of it, but his recovery came close to the goal by Navas, beaten (42nd). From a shot in the centre, it was then Youssouf who almost surprised the Costa Rican goalkeeper, who deflected the ball onto his crossbar (48th). Roux, after a counterattack, still had a goal but Marquinhos intervened in extremis (57th).
That hasn’t stopped the Parisian ultras from continuing to chant in their corner of the grandstand, but as we headed towards the penalty shootout, more and more observers started digging into the stats for traces of PSG’s last elimination in the 32nd final: a 1-0 defeat against Valenciennes then in D2, during the 1989-1990 season.
It wasn’t the exits of Bitshiabu and Gharbi, replaced by Ramos and Ruiz (64th and 65th), that reassured the Parisian fans, who saw Soler and Sarabia granted the right to continue their bad performance.
The only Parisian opportunity was the work of Mukiele, whose close shot was rejected by Delecroix (68th). Five days after their first defeat of the season at Lens (3-1), Galtier’s men still seemed in danger. But luckily for them, after a cross from Vitinha, Ekitike’s recovery rejected by Delecroix, reached Soler who could finally make a useful gesture by scoring (1-2, 78th). In extra time, Bernat increased the score (1-3, 90 + 1).
Paris then continues on its way. It will take a long time until the round of 16 because after the league games against Angers (11th) and Rennes (15th), a detour via a friendly in Saudi Arabia, on the 19th, will force the Federation to schedule this next round on Monday the 23rd. The Parisian ultras will then be able, like this Friday, to bring out their banner: “Football is the weekend. »
MATCH CARD
half time: 1-1.
Spectators: 14,003. Referee: Mr. Dechepy.
But. Chateauroux: Bitshiabu (37th, csc). PSG: Ekitike (13th), Soler (82nd), Bernat (90th +1).
Chateauroux: Delecroix – Youssouf (Sanganté, 71st), Ouaneh (cap.), Ahoussou, Fouda – Mexico, Basque (Grange, 84th), Viltard – Bianchini, Roux (Bozkurt, 84th), Ntolla Thio (Sunu, 71st) . Entrance : Flachez.
PSG: Navas – Mukiele, Marquinhos (cap.), Bitshiabu (Ramos, 64e), Bernat – Soler (Housni, 85e), Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha – Gharbi (Fabian Ruiz, 65e) – Sarabia, Ekitike (Danilo, 89e). Entrance : Galtier.
