DC United 1-1 PSG Published at
Zlatan opens PSG account!
Paris Saint-Germain ended their USA Tour with a 1-1 draw against Washington outfit DC United. Zlatan Ibrahimović got PSG's only goal of the game after just three minutes!
So it only took three minutes for Zlatan Ibrahimović to score his first goal in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt! After winning the ball back in the middle of the park and cutting inside, the new striker sent a curling effort into the corner (0-1, 3')! Everything looks so easy for the big Sweden international!
On a pitch that featured as much sand as grass, PSG were quick to impose their style without too much difficulty. But when the rain came down in the US capital, the home side, DC United, enjoyed their best period of the game. Pontius sounded the alarm with a first shot before Kitchen's effort came back off Douchez's crossbar (20'). The rain started falling even harder and the referee decided to send both teams to the safety of the changing-rooms after just 23 minutes. The break lasted 45 minutes… And when play resumed, PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti replaced Alex with Sakho (24').
Despite a powerful Ibrahimović shot (28'), Paris Saint-Germain struggled to get back in the game and De Rosario scored from the penalty spot after Bisevac was adjudged to have handled in the area (1-1, 33'). In front of the 13,176 spectators, it was all level.
Paris answered Deleon's shot (35'), with a Lugano header (36'). Carlo Ancelotti then substituted Ibrahimović with Hoarau (38'). History will remember Ibra's first PSG goal came against DC United in Washington.
Like against Chelsea, PSG's Italian coach made wholesale changes at the break and this time it was a new 11 that started the second 45; a new team, but with the same attacking intentions. And the goal-scoring chances kept coming. Gameiro in the box (47'), Sakho's header from a Chantôme corner (50'), Gameiro again after good work from Lavezzi (50')...
Paris Saint-Germain were showing all their class and skill, illustrated by Pastore's spectacular header (51'), while DC United proposed a more direct football that saw Santos bring the best out of Douchez (52').
Rabiot (61') and Luyindula (68') came on for Chantôme (after a heavy knock) and Hoarau, respectively. Against a very physically strong DC United, PSG began to struggle late in the game. They still looked dangerous though and Lavezzi still released Pastore who stylishly set up Gameiro, but the France international's shot failed to hit the target (79'). It was then Luyindula's turn to shine with two more chances.
Paris wrestled back control and the final minutes were one-way traffic. Lavezzi did brilliantly before setting up Luyindula. His shot was blocked and Gameiro's follow up was turned behind for a corner. From the resulting corner Sakho thought he's netted the winner but for a stunning reflex save from the local 'keeper (92').
There was no further change to the scoring as Paris bring the curtain down on their USA Tour and training camp with a 1-1 draw in the American capital. Carlo Ancelotti's charges now continue their pre-season preparation at the Camp des Loges, with a mouth-watering friendly against Barça next Saturday, before the start of the Ligue 1 season a week later.
