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Ancelotti relieved after Arras scare

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 7 Jan 2013

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Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti was a relieved man after his side beat fifth-tier Arras 4-3 in the Coupe de France on Sunday.

The Parisian giants were heavy favourites against Arras and led 2-0 after just 10 minutes thanks to early strikes from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Blaise Matuidi.

Lavezzi added another goal during the match while veteran defender Zoumana Camara was also on the scoresheet, but a plucky Arras side never gave in and Sebastien Bernard’s late goal ensured PSG would suffer a nervy finish.

“It was real cup match and they’re never easy,” Ancelotti said after the match.

“We started the match well but afterwards we allowed Arras opportunities. We played well, but we were not good defensively.

“We hadn’t conceded in our last four matches and maybe we thought it would be too easy. That said, we won and so everything’s good.”

Matuidi shared a similar view, happy with his side’s progression despite a less than ideal performance.

“We are satisfied,” Matuidi said.

“We wanted to qualify in another way, but we see that there are surprises in the Coupe de France (like Lyon’s elimination), so it was necessary to avoid the trap, even if we conceded three goals.

“We are happy to be qualified because that was the objective.”

PSG top the Ligue 1 standings by goal difference ahead of Lyon and Marseille.

Ancelotti’s side will resume their title charge after the winter break with a home fixture against struggling Ajaccio on Friday.

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