Pro Sports

Heavy security as PSG plays first home game since shootings

Posted November 28, 2015 6:00 am

By JEROME PUGMIRE

Police officers check supporters before the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Troyes, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. The country remains on high alert for possible terrorist attacks after Islamic extremists killed at least 130 people in a rock concert massacre, shootings at Paris cafes and suicide bombings at the national stadium on Nov. 13. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) - With armed police patrolling the stadium and fans waving French flags inside, league leader Paris Saint-Germain beat last-place Troyes 4-1 on Saturday in its first home match since the Paris attacks.

PSG's ninth straight league win featured goals from strikers Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left back Layvin Kurzawa, and the first of 18-year-old forward Jean-Kevin Augustin's career.

Troyes midfielder Thomas Ayasse replied in injury time, curling the ball over goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from 25 meters out.

The win moved PSG 15 points clear of second-place Angers while Ibrahimovic - PSG's all-time leading scorer with 117 goals - moved level with Mustapha Dahleb as the club's record league scorer with 85.

"When the team is doing good, the individual is also doing good - it's coming together," Ibrahimovic said. "You can see it in the results, collectively we are very strong. Today, we could have played a better game but we still won 4-1."

Fans were asked to arrive early at the Parc des Princes before the game against Troyes, and to present identification papers. Supporters and media representatives were searched and had to open their bags.

Despite the presence of armed police, including two snipers on a roof near the stadium, the atmosphere was calm and the mood one of cooperation rather than fear, after the attacks two weeks ago left 130 people dead and plunged a nation into mourning.

"Very good, perfect. That's what I just explained to my son," PSG fan Claude Montereau said. "We have been (checked) at least 10 times before arriving here. That's OK."

A small jazz band played outside, perhaps in a bid to reassure people that this was meant to be an enjoyable occasion, after all.

A giant French tricolor flag was unfurled in the middle of the field before the game, and a video clip was beamed onto the giant screen, with football stars from around the world - including Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney - saying "Je suis Paris" (I am Paris).

In a show of solidarity, PSG fans applauded the names of the Troyes players when they were read out.

As a brass band played "La Marseillaise," the crowd joined in as they held thousands of French flags aloft.

After that, a minute's silence was observed as PSG captain Thiago Silva and Trapp stood with their heads bowed.

Cavani struck early with his eighth league goal of the season, confidently volleying home from Angel di Maria's pass.

Ibrahimovic struck his 10th in 10 league games from the penalty spot to begin the second half, and Kurzawa hit a crisp half-volley from the edge of the penalty to make it 3-0 soon after.

Cavani seemed upset to be replaced by Augustin 10 minutes from the end, muttering to coach Laurent Blanc as he walked past him.

Augustin, who impressed with five goals in preseason friendlies, scored with a speculative shot from 25 meters out that went through goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni's legs.

"I felt there was a Troyes player behind me, so I took my chance," Augustin said. "Ibrahimovic always tells me to hit the target, rather than trying to hit it too hard."

Trapp, who has made high-profile blunders in two matches this season, was too far off his line when beaten by Ayasse's shot.

Newly promoted Angers won 2-0 against struggling Lille.

In other matches, it was Nantes 0, Bastia 0; Toulouse 2, Nice 0; Reims 2, Rennes 2, and Gazelec Ajaccio 1, Lorient 1.

Struggling Toulouse handed a league debut to 16-year-old goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

In Sunday's games, Saint-Etienne faces Guingamp; Bordeaux hosts Caen, and Marseille takes on Monaco.

Lyon lost 4-2 at home to Montpellier on Friday.

A giant French flag covers the pitch as spectators and players holding a banner "We are all Paris" observe a minute of silence for the victims of the Paris attacks, before the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Troyes, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (Franck Fife/Pool Photo via AP) The Associated Press

A giant French flag covers the pitch as players holding a banner "We are all Paris" observe a minute of silence for the victims of the Paris attacks, before the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Troyes, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (Franck Fife/Pool Photo via AP) The Associated Press

PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic wearing a jersey reading: "I am Paris" observes a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Paris attacks, before the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Troyes, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic wearing a jersey reading: "I am Paris" in memory of the victims of the Paris attacks, kicks the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Troyes, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

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