Paris Saint-Germain will face Angers in Ligue 1 on Wednesday afternoon, and Lionel Messi will make his return to the club after helping Argentina win the World Cup.
PSG is a -950 favourite at FanDuel Sportsbook after overcoming Chateauroux 3-1 in French Cup action on Friday despite resting most of its star players. Angers has a +1700 advantage, while a draw has a +750 advantage. The game is available to watch on fuboTV in the United States, making it easy for fans to tune in.
PARIS, France — Paris Saint-Germain needed two late goals to beat third-tier Châteauroux 3-1 in the French Cup round of 64 on Friday.
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Despite resting star scorers Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, PSG coach Christophe Galtier started with seven international players against a side rated 14th in the third division.
PSG has won the cup 14 years in a row, but was knocked out in the round of 16 last season.
With no more time in the early rounds, Châteauroux was taking control of the game, and a penalty shootout loomed.
PSG midfielder Carlos Soler scored from close range in the 78th minute, and left back Juan Bernat secured the victory in stoppage time with a brilliant finish.
Galtier referred to some laziness on his team.
“Imagine what would have occurred if we hadn’t qualified.”
Our team was split in two at one point, which gave them confidence “Galtier said. “Did we anticipate things to be easy once we had the lead? Perhaps.”
Galtier started three teenagers: Warren Zare-Emery (16), Ismael Gharbi (18), and El Chadaille Bitshiabu (17) in midfield and centre defence, respectively.
PSG got off to a strong start in the 13th minute when Gharbi threaded a wonderful pass for striker Hugo Ekitiké to score.
Châteauroux, on the other hand, equalised in the 37th minute when veteran forward Nolan Roux’s cross from the left caused confusion and Bitshiabu deflected the loose ball past goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Roux came within minutes of scoring with a speculative effort just past the post, leaving Navas stranded.
In other events, Pau beat Montpellier 2-1 at home in the second division.
Meanwhile, in an all-first-division encounter, Angers overcame Strasbourg on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
Paris FC beat Valenciennes 3-1 at home, while Grenoble defeated visiting Nimes 1-0 in all-second-division action.
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