Valenciennes´ number 29 Filip Sebo was not given a chance to convert brilliant motivation against his former manager. High-flying Valenciennes missed a golden opportunity to take fourth spot in Ligue 1 after being held to a goalless draw by struggling Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Nungesser.
Given the respective records of the two sides – Valenciennes unbeaten at home, PSG likewise away from home – perhaps a draw wasn´t such a surprise after all.
Despite mounting pressure, PSG manager Paul Le Guen remained determined to field a young side, with Marcelo Gallardo not even travelling despite the absence of the suspended Jerome Rothen, Pauleta on the bench and regular defenders Bernard Mendy, Sylvain Armand and Gregory Bourillon overlooked in favour of the recalled Mario Yepes, new boy Ceara and 17-year-old Mamadou Sakho. But yet again, the undoubted talent of the young players failed to yield results, with several excellent chances being spurned by the visitors.
Midway through the first half, perhaps the best of those opportunities fell to Amara Diane. After a dazzling run from Younousse Sankhare, the ball was fed to the young Ivorian, but despite being unmarked and under no pressure at the back post he shot wide of the goal. Just after half-time he fluffed another great chance, this time hitting the target after a pinpoint cross from Jeremy Clement, but finding Valenciennes goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau in his way.
In the second half it was mostly Valenciennes, with last season´s top scorer Steve Savidan a constant threat to the PSG goal. It was he who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 78 minutes when a stunning free kick crashed against the crossbar with Mickael Landreau beaten. In the end a draw was probably a fair result, but for PSG to enjoy any success this season, their young guns will have to learn how to translate good play into goals.
