Ten-man Montpellier hold PSG in season opener
Friday, August 9, 2013
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Laurent Blanc was denied a winning start as Paris Saint-Germain FC coach, Maxwell's goal on the hour earning a 1-1 draw against a Montpellier Hérault SC side that ended with ten men.
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Laurent Blanc was denied a winning start to his tenure as Paris Saint-Germain FC coach as the Ligue 1 champions opened their 2013/14 account with a 1-1 draw at Montpellier Hérault SC.
The capital club were forced to come from behind after the lively Rémy Cabella gave the hosts an early lead. Maxwell equalised on the hour, prodding in after Zlatan Ibrahimović's knockdown, and the game swung in PSG's favour when Abdel El Kaoutari received a second yellow card 18 minutes from time. A winner proved elusive.
Edinson Cavani came closest, Joris Marveaux making a vital block to keep out the former SSC Napoli striker's header. The club record summer signing began the night on the bench, such are PSG's options, but it was Cabella who shone early on, capping a bright start with a fine strike. Latching onto a loose ball, Cabella coolly lifted the ball over Salvatore Sirigu from a tight angle to score the first goal of the new season.
PSG were stung, and struggled to break down the resilient home side before gaps began appearing after the break. Eventually they broke through, albeit through an unlikely source as left-back Maxwell popped up to drive the ball in. PSG looked to turn the screw, Montpellier's task made harder by El Kaoutari's departure, but the Mediterranean side held on.
