Match in Photos: PSG Squeeze Past Niort in Coupe de France

Paris Saint-Germain had to battle Chamois Niortais FC and the elements on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France. The defending champions traveled to a rain-soaked Stade René Gaillard with a heavily rotated side but still managed to come away with the 2-0 win thanks to goals from Javier Pastore and Edinson Cavani.

The conditions were the real story of the match. The pitch was so bad it could have easily been scored in Jonathan Johnson’s post-match player ratings for the save it made on Lucas Moura:

Besides the pitch, Unai Emery’s starting lineup was a major talking point. Making eight changes from the side that defeated Olympique de Marseille last Sunday, the Spaniard opted to rotate his team and give several players who have been mostly spectators this season an opportunity to show what they can do. Given the conditions, it’s hard to critique any of the starters but Jean-Kevin Augustin was decidedly poor and was subbed off after 59 minutes. Gonçalo Guedes, who will likely become Cavani’s backup given Augustin’s struggles, made his first start since arriving in Paris last January but failed to really impress.

The game turned on its head in the 73rd minute when Emery brought Pastore on. It was a surprising move given the waterlogged pitch and the Argentine’s injury history. Nevertheless, El Flaco turned out to be the difference and it was his goal and assist to Cavani that secured the win.

Check out some of our favorite images from the match below and be sure to come back later this week for our coverage of Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against AS Nancy on Saturday, March 4.

XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images
XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images
XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images
XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images
XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images
XAVIER LEOTY/AFP/Getty Images

Subscribe to the PSG Talking podcast (iTunes) (Google Play) and follow us on Twitter @PSGTalk.

Tags Chamois Niortais Coupe de France Edinson Cavani Gonçalo Guedes Jean-Kevin Augustin Lucas Moura Unai Emery
Follow Us