Carlo Ancelotti’s mission to guide Paris Saint-Germain to their first Ligue 1 Championelle begins at the Parc des Princes when his side hosts Alain Casanova’s Toulouse side in Week 20 of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 season
The last time PSG won the Ligue 1 title was back in 1994. Since then, PSG have never come close to lifting the revered Championelle. However, things might be about to change for the Ile giants.
The second half of the Ligue 1 campaign resumes this Saturday. Newly-appointed PSG coach, Carlo Ancelotti will be at the dugout and would certainly be looking to end PSG’s 17-year-wait for domestic success starting with a tricky tie against Toulouse.
Mission Championelle
Ancelotti took over the reins of PSG following the dismissal of Antoine Kombouare and the Italian tactician finds himself coaching a team that finished 2011 on top of the Ligue 1 standings for the first time in many years. Furthermore, Les Parisiens have
a three-point lead over Montpellier Herault who have been the surprise package of this season.
The ‘autumn champions’ might be leading the standings for now but the Italian tactician knows that the second half of the campaign would be a testing time for a side that has the highest payroll in France.
However, after leading the likes of AC Milan and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 to domestic titles, Carlo Ancelotti knows all about what it takes to win the league.
Ancelotti’s first official game in charge as PSG coach was far from satisfactory. Though PSG managed to beat fifth tier Locmine 2-1 in the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France, it required http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Lugano to score a goal in the 93rd minute which shows
just how far PSG have to go.
Change in formation
The former Milan coach changed the club’s formation from 4-2-3-1 (implemented by Kombouare) to 4-3-2-1 and feels that the players have struggled to adjust to their new roles.
“The players aren’t yet comfortable playing a 4-3-2-1 system. After just three days of training it is difficult to make it work, this is normal and perhaps I will change things for the next game but we have to work hard to improve and I don’t know how long
that will take,” said Ancelotti while talking about the formation.
Toulouse and African Cup of Nations
Toulouse along with PSG have the best defensive record in the Ligue 1. They have conceded just 17 goals so far. Ali Ahamada, the young goalkeeper, has kept ten clean sheets which just goes on to show why many consider him a future number 1 for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899.
However, the African Cup of Nations has weakened the side somewhat.
The likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabon-c2902.
Team News
PSG
France international http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Blaise-Matuidi-c7681 is set to miss the first Ligue 1 game of the New Year due to a groin injury. Otherwise, Ancelotti has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Toulouse
The African contingent in the Toulouse side is already missing and Yohan http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pele-c40189 is a long-term absentee. Emmanuel Riviere is set to start from the bench after recovering from a thigh problem while Etienne Capoue is expected to operate at the centre-half.
Predicted final score: PSG 2-1 Toulouse
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