PSG coach Kombouare ready to face old team

Paris Saint Germain coach Antoine Kombouare said that he believed his side had turned the corner after their memorable 2-1 league victory over champions Marseille on Sunday – his words will be tested immediately by his former team Valenciennes in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

Kombouare – who had a distinguished playing career for PSG winning four trophies including the last time they won the league title in 1994 – is remembered with great affection at unfashionable Valenciennes where he guided them to the 2006 Second Division crown.

Kombouare, who guided PSG to the French Cup last season in yet another crisis-ridden campaign which has been a feature of the club over the past decade, is aware that his old club will be out for a big scalp.

“It will be hard because I know the team well and Valenciennes will be wanting to show that they have some good players,” said the New Caledonia-born coach, who turns 47 on November 17 and has seen his side lose just once in their past 13 matches.

“It will not be an easy match.”

Kombouare should have a full complement of players to select from – Mathieu Bodmer apart as he is suspended – and may well hand rare starts to defender Marcos Ceara and midfielder Stephane Sessegnon.

His Valenciennes counterpart Philippe Montanier appreciates what Kombouare did for the club and what he appears to be doing on a bigger scale at PSG.

“Antoine left his mark at Valenciennes. He set up the technical centre. He established the club in the First Division and at the time he was still here the thing that pleased me most when I came to visit the club was the atmosphere.

“After that, though, each coach brings his own style to the job.”

Montanier, whose side lie 14th in the league just two points above the relegation places, said that despite PSG’s hot run of form his team weren’t going into the match as lambs to the slaughter.

“Antoine had a tough year at PSG last season but still got them to lift the Cup and that is PSG’s style despite seasons of real crisis they have the ability to end it with a trophy in the cabinet.

“Antoine is now reaping what he sewed last season. And I think that PSG are going to be the team of the season. However, a cup match is a cup match and each side has an equal chance.”

One of the main reasons for PSG’s resurgence this term has been the form of summer signing Nene, a loss that has been keenly felt by his former side Monaco, who will hope that a sudden change in their fortunes in being unbeaten in three matches carries on against League Cup holders Marseille on Wednesday.

However, last season’s French Cup finalists chances have taken a huge hit as they will be without South Korean international striker Park Chu-Young who has been allowed to leave to play for his country at the ongoing Asian Games.

Marseille for their part will be looking to bounce back after the defeat by PSG and French international midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is one looking for a positive reaction.

“We know we didn’t show on Sunday (against PSG) what we are capable of doing,” said Valbuena.

“Now we have to react to that display and show what we are made of. This match (against Monaco) is not just another game, it is a League Cup quarter-final and we have to react positively to what happened on Sunday.”

Fixtures

Tuesday (kick-off 1945 GMT)

Auxerre v Saint-Etienne

Wednesday (kick-offs GMT)

Valenciennes v Paris SG (1600), Montpellier v Lille (1745), Marseille v Monaco (1945)