Cavani inspires PSG to victory over Amiens

Neymar was paraded around the pitch at the Parc des Princes before the game following the completion of his move from Barcelona.

Back on the pitch, a goal in each half propelled the Parisians to victory in a game they dominated throughout.

Marco Verratti had the first effort of the game inside four minutes as his rising drive flew over the crossbar.

Cavani then tried a rather optimistic long-range half-volley after Angel Di Maria headed down a long ball but again his effort failed to test Gurtner in the Amiens goal.

The first real chance of the game fell to Uruguayan, he played a one-two with Di Maria, with the Argentine’s return ball sending the striker through on goal, he took aim but he could only screw his shot wide of the near post under pressure from Cissokho.

Fofana was the next player to threaten, the Amiens midfielder received the ball on the turn 35 yards out and tried his luck but it flew harmlessly wide.

It was certainly a slow start with both teams easing their way back into competitive action

PSG had an appeal for a penalty turned down after 18 minutes, the ball appeared to strike the hand of Cissokho but the referee was unmoved. From the resulting corner Angel Di Maria found Alves on the edge of the box. His low effort was blocked into the path of Rabiot at the far post but he could only guide his header wide with the goal gaping.

Marquinhos fluffed a volley after being found all on his own from a corner from the left, before Amiens brought trouble on themselves. The minnows gave the ball away trying to play out from the back and only a good block from Gouano prevented Rabiot from getting a shot on target.

The game dropped into something of a lull at that point and the next chance of any not came after 37 minutes when Layvin Kurzawa rose highest to meet Di Maria’s corner from the left but his header dropped just wide of the far post.

Gurtner had to be alert to keep out an effort from Rabiot.

PSG then missed a great chance after a flowing counter. Di Maria found himself one-on-one down the right, he prodded the ball past the goalkeeper but it was cleared before it could roll into the empty net or reach a man in a blue shirt.

Not to be disheartened by that missed chance, PSG took the lead just minutes later. Dani Alves crossed from deep on the right towards Cavani. The Uruguayan intelligently dropped of his marker, Gouano, before taking a touch and firing the ball low past Gurtner.

That goal meant PSG went into the break in the lead.

The second half started at a pedestrian pace once again, before PSG went close twice in two minutes. Firstly, Kurzawa scampered away down the left and delivered a vicious cross to the near post. Cavani couldn’t get a touch but Amiens defender Gouano did manage to get something on it, directing the ball into the side-netting.

Then, just seconds later, Verratti played a long ball over the top from deep into the path of Angel Di Maria. The Argentine found himself clear on the edge of the box but his volleyed effort lacked a bit of height and the onrushing Gurtner made a flying save away to his left.

PSG should have double their lead on the hour mark, a lovely reverse ball from Cavani put Di Maria in, the Argentine lifted the ball over Gurtner but it dropped wide.

Gurtner showed impeccable judgement to come out to meet a low cross with Cavani poised for a tap-in.

Amiens had their first real chances of the second half when Koita fired a shot from range straight at Areola before Charrier looped an effort back across goals after meeting a cross from the left at the back post.

PSG then put the game to bed with 10 minutes to go. Verratti sent Cavani racing away down the right with a perfectly-weighted slide-rule pass and the Uruguayan unselfishly pulled the ball back to Pastore to tap home at the far post.

Cavani could have added to his personal tally shortly afterwards but he misjudged the flight of the ball.

PSG could have won by more but in the end it was a comfortable victory, with Unai Emery being able to count on a certain Brazilian from now on...