Ancelotti happy with PSG fringe players

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti says he was pleased with the way his fringe players performed in their 2-0 Coupe de la Ligue win against Marseille.

Summer signing Thiago Silva opened the scoring for PSG just before the hour mark, with Jeremy Menez doubling his side’s lead five minutes into the second half.

But it was the players who had not previously had the opportunity to impress who caught the Italian’s eye as he rotated the squad for the home clash at Parc des Princes.

“The players who have not played much had a good match,” the 53-year-old said.

“(They played) with a good attitude and were in good condition. There was a lot of aggression. I’m happy.”

His team’s job was made easier on the night, however, after Marseille’s Rod Fanni was harshly dismissed for a foul inside the box on Guillaume Hoarau who was in the side in place of talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“Everyone knows the importance of this game. Marseille showed a lot of intensity, even if it was harder after the red card,” Ancelotti said.

“Ibra was not sure to be 100 percent. He had played 14 consecutive matches. He had to recharge.

“(Pastore) was better. He made a fantastic pass to Menez. He is improving. There is more confidence.”

The former Chelsea and Milan coach also alluded to PSG’s next match, a Ligue 1 clash at home to Saint-Etienne.

“It will not be easy,” he said. “They are a very good team. They won easily last night.

“This is a dynamic team with attacking players. (It is) an interesting game.”