Author of a brace of goals and an assist, Clément Chantôme was the star of the show as PSG defeated Braga 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in a friendly on Saturday.
Stay on the pace and fix the little things that have been going wrong in recent matches. Just a few days before the match against Marseille, Antoine Kombouaré wanted to use this game against Braga as a dress rehearsal. The Parisian boss was without the services of Sakho, Sankharé, Sessegnon (international duty) and Hoarau (injured). The rest of the squad was present and accounted for, including Papus Camara who played a full game.And the PSG defender didn’t take long to get into the action. Papus threw himself into the action, winning back possession from Paulo César before launching the counterattack in feeding Chantôme (2’). Moments later, Sammy Traoré produced a fine tackle to deny Matheus, through one-on-one against Edel (3’). In front of a good crowd, Clément Chantôme opened the scoring with a wonderful right-footed volley from a Peguy Luyindula cross (1-0, 25’).
As the rain fell in Paris, Braga equalised from a corner. Rodriguez, at the front post, caught out Edel, in goal at the expense of Greg Coupet (1-1, 28’). While the Portuguese side was getting to know the power and speed of Mevlut Erding, Luyindula profited to from the extra space afforded. The pair combined brilliantly, without ever finding the final touch.
Antoine Kombouaré took advantage of the occasion to give his entire squad a workout and after Ceara, Makelele, Bourillon and Maurice in the 63rd minute, it was Baning, Arnaud, Makonda (76’) and Boli (85’) that had their chance to shine.
The Portuguese championship leader finally succumbed to the magic of Chantôme’s boot. After beating his man, the Parisian midfielder slid the ball home (2-1, 88’). A scorer of a double himself, Chantôme then turned provider, laying on a third goal for Yannick Boli (3-1, 90e). A great and promising result ahead of the trip to Marseille on Friday!
