PSG traveled to Clermont this Wednesday evening to face Espaly in the round of 16 of the 2025 Coupe de France and the Parisians had a lot of trouble qualifying. Trailing from the start, the Parisians were able to equalize before half-time through Zaire-Emery then lead thanks to Doué 20 minutes from the end. But the amateurs came back and Paris escaped through Barcola a few minutes from the end, Gonçalo Ramos widening the gap in stoppage time. Paris avoided the trap, but it was hard.
The compositions:
The composition of PSG against Espaly: Tenas – Zague (Mendes, 46e), Tape (Pacho, 75e), Hernandez, Neves – Ruiz (Lee, 46e), Zaïre-Emery, Mayulu (Vitinha, 46e) – Doué, Ramos, Barcola
PSG banks: Safonov, Mouquet, Kimpembe, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Lee, Asensio
Espaly’s lineup against PSG: Etienne – Allaigre, Uzun, Curt, Ichane, Mezaber – Portal (Fila, 66e), Aït-Boulaa – Russo (Bendriss, 77e) – Fournel (Beaumont, 74e), Gjeci (El Hammiri, 74e)
Le banc d’Espaly: Bendriss, Elhammiri, Beaumont, Teil, Pages, Grand, Di Piazza, Fila, Raboisson
The match sheet:
The goals: Gjeci (1-0, 3rd), Zaire-Emery (1-1, 37th), Doué (1-2, 67th, assist from Barcola), Fournel (2-2, 71st), Barcola (2-3, 88th , assist from Mendes), Ramos (2-4, 92nd, from penalty)
Warnings: Neves (90th, obstruction on Beaumont), Uzun (94th, late tackle on Doué)
The match:
PSG kicks off and quickly turns the ball against a regrouped team (2nd). Tape makes a good opening for Zague but his cross was not followed (2nd). Thunderclap from the first attack: Espaly overflows on the left and center, it is deflected, Tenas misses his exit and Gjeci scores with a header (1-0, 3rd)! PSG tries to react but Zague completely misses his cross (6th).
Paris has the ball and tries to get around Espaly but it is very complicated and lacks speed (9th). Espaly plays his luck well and Tape is blocked on the restart, without consequence (13th). It’s a wall facing PSG which stumbles against it (15th). Big heat in the Espaly area, with Doué stumbling on the goalkeeper. It comes back into the area and Espaly escapes in disaster (17th)! Tape also tries from afar, it fails (18th).
Fabian Ruiz thought to equalize after a deflected cross from Zagué but the full-back was narrowly offside (19th). Zague is found by Doué but he is still offside (24th). The first corner of the match is for PSG, Doué shoots it and Neves cuts alone at the near post but doesn’t hit the target (28th)!
Barcola pulls away to overwhelm and crosses back, it comes back to Mayulu who hits hard but Etienne makes a very big save with his foot on the line (30th). Espaly develops a very nice counter but the final cross is too long (32nd). PSG is on a tightrope and Tape intervenes with Neves in the Parisian area (35th). But PSG equalizes with one blow: Zague crosses and is pushed back, it comes back to Zaire-Emery who hits perfectly from the left flush with the post (1-1, 37th)!
PSG tries to drive the point home but Espaly comes away with nothing (39th). Doué provokes in front of the opposing surface and provokes a very good free kick but he remains on the ground (44th). Mayulu tries it directly but the goalkeeper calmly catches it (45th). At half-time, the draw was unfortunately logical given that Paris had gotten off to a bad start in the game.
Triple change at half-time with Mendes, Vitinha and Lee for Zague, Mayulu and Ruiz! PSG came back better and Neves sent a good cross from the right, pushed back (48th). Doué infiltrates and finds Ramos who sends a safe cross-shot (50th). The attack-defense resumes and Mendes is flagged offside (54th). Paris accelerates, Zaire-Emery overflows and crosses for Barcola who misses his control (56th).
PSG intercepts a high ball, Lee gives a perfect goal ball to Doué who misses the target in an almost believable way against the goalkeeper (59th)! Espaly seems underwater but Gjeci snatches a free kick from Neves on the left, Curt takes it again but Tenas catches it on his line (62nd). Lee tries his luck from afar but the goalkeeper catches it well (64th). Vitinha finds Mendes in depth but the control is not good (65th).
PSG finally takes the advantage: Neves gives a superb deep ball to Barcola who crosses within 6m, Doué concludes (finally) from the left to the far post (1-2, 67th)!
While he thinks he has done the hardest part, PSG is joined in a ridiculous way: Espaly overflows on the right and center, Tape pushes back badly, it comes back to Fournel who hits, Tenas pushes back but Fournel takes back from close range (2-2, 71st)! How ridiculous of PSG…
Paris tries to move forward and Barcola is found in front of the area but he misses his control (76th). PSG tries to attack but it is not very dangerous and Espaly emerges quietly (82nd). Barcola infiltrates full axis but it is clear and Ramos is too short to resume (84th). Paris is very hot on a distant free kick but Zaire-Emery clears in front of the line (87th)!
Mendes breaks away on the left and overflows, he crosses, it’s deflected and Barcola cuts at the far post (2-3, 88th)!
Doué has a good 4-2 ball but he shoots straight into an amateur (90th). Paris gives an eccentric free kick, it is pushed back and a counterattack goes. Doué launches Mendes who crosses into the area. Handball and penalty (92nd)! Gonçalo Ramos transforms by opening his right foot (2-4, 92nd)!
Paris goes on the counter and Neves crosses at the far post for Doué who smashes the crossbar from close range (94th)! Paris finally won 4-2 but it was painful.
The pre-match:
20h59: Fabian Ruiz is the captain of PSG this evening.
20h57: Welcome to Clermont!!
20h56 : Entrance of the players onto the pitch!
20h50 : PSG banks: Safonov, Mouquet, Kimpembe, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Lee, Asensio
20h45 : Warm-up completed in Clermont
20h35 : The warm-up has just started
20h30 : Away jersey for PSG this Wednesday
20h15 : Big surprise in the lineup with the tenure of young Axel Tape (17 years old)
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