PSG clinch domestic cup double thanks to late Angers own goal

Posted Sunday, May 28, 2017 by ESPN

An own goal in stoppage time of the Coupe de France final lifted PSG to their second domestic cup title of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain are the most decorated club in Coupe de France history but needed a late Issa Cissokho own goal to beat Angers 1-0 and claim title No. 11 after a lacklustre display at Stade de France on Saturday.

Positives

The win. After finishing second to Monaco in the Ligue 1 standings, PSG needed to lift the Coupe de France at all costs to avoid this season being considered any more of a failure. They did it -- just. PSG's victory means that they have now pulled clear of Marseille for the most titles in the competition with 11. And Maxwell, in his final PSG appearance, leaves the club a champion. The Brazilian veteran won his 15th piece of silverware with the club.

Negatives

A flat performance. For a team playing to save itself from further embarrassment in a season in which it has fallen well below expectations, the display from Unai Emery's men left a lot to be desired. Had Cissokho not put one into his own net at the death, PSG would have needed extra time and possibly penalties to secure the trophy.

Manager rating out of 10

5 -- Emery's starting XI, with Javier Pastore brought on for the final 18 minutes, just about got the job done, but the Spaniard could have used his substitutions much better and much earlier.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Alphonse Areola, 6 -- The youth academy graduate was dominant in the air when he needed to be but was saved by his post in the 27th minute from a powerful Nicolas Pepe effort.

DF Serge Aurier, 5 -- The Ivory Coast international suffered at times up against Karl Toko Ekambi, and he was also unnecessarily booked on the stroke of halftime as things threatened to boil over after Angel Di Maria was cautioned minutes before.

DF Marquinhos, 6 -- Aside from being ruined at one moment in the first half by Toko Ekambi, the Brazilian was more or less solid alongside captain Thiago Silva.

DF Thiago Silva (C), 8 -- The skipper was commanding at the heart of the defence and made a number of important, well-timed tackles to keep his team safe at the back.

DF Maxwell, 6 -- It was a solid but unspectacular farewell performance from the left-back, who was in tears at the final whistle and was allowed to lift the Coupe de France trophy in his final action as a PSG player.

MF Thiago Motta, 6 -- It was a balanced performance from the ageing Italian international; PSG could have done with a bit more mobility instead.

MF Marco Verratti, 7 -- The playmaker was not at his absolute best, particularly in the first half, but he grew in influence and still made some important passes.

MF Blaise Matuidi, 6 -- The French veteran got involved and played a role in pressuring Cissokho to force the decisive own goal.

FW Angel Di Maria, 6 -- The Argentine was PSG's most consistent attacking threat, notably in the first half, and his free kick found the side netting in the second half. However, he picked up an avoidable first-half booking.

FW Edinson Cavani, 5 -- "El Matador's" movement was excellent, as usual, so he enjoyed some chances to score a record-equalling 50th goal of the season across all competitions. However, that strike did not arrive -- despite good first- and second-half openings.

FW Julian Draxler, 4 -- The former Wolfsburg man was anonymous for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. It was surprising that it took Emery so long to bring Javier Pastore on in his place.

Substitutes

FW Javier Pastore, NR -- The Argentine was not as precise as he usually is, but at least he got involved -- unlike Draxler.