PSG Pushes for a Relegation Battle With Late Winner at Palermo

With the top half of the table already locked in place, perpetual basement dwellers PSG began a late push to shake up the bottom three with a win at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. Though the match was largely even throughout, PSG did need some charity from Palermo manager Chris Ingoglia.

PSG came into its second-to-last match of the season needing a win to retain any chance of remaining in the GIMP's first league for another season. Affairs looked bleak for the Parisian side after early defensive miscues allowed Abel Hernandez to slot home an opener past Salvatore Sirigu in the first 5 minutes of the match.

A PSG side in early-season form would have crumbled following the goal, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic soon equalized after catching a lob from Nene on the volley and burying it behind Palermo's keeper.

Palermo nearly managed to grab the lead again in the opening minutes of the second half. After an collecting an easy save, Sirigu and Hernandez tangled in the box before the keeper could deliver the ball downfield, leaving Hernandez free with the ball before an open goal. Rather than taking the easy goal. Ingoglia instructed  Hernandez to boot the ball into touch to return possession.

The touch of class from the Italian side made little difference through the second half as both sides struggled to find a winner. With hopes of climbing out of the league's final spot, Cushing's squad fought for possession in the closing minutes. As added time drew near a close, former Palermo man Javier Pastore sidestepped a sliding Palermo defender on the edge of the area and delivered a precision strike past a diving Samir Ukjani to secure the victory.

With so much riding on the match for Paris Saint-Germain, Pastore's winner may prove to be the difference between yet another trip down Relegation Row for the side's embattled manager. Given the potential importance, Cushing told the press that he hoped Pastore's winner would also find its way into consideration for the much talked-about Goal of the GIMP.

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Impressive though it may be, PSG will need some help if the side hopes to avoid relegation and earn a chance to play for a spot in the Champions Cup. Following the international break, PSG will watch anxiously and hope for a Arsenal win over Palermo before they prepare for their own match with the Gunners to end the club's dubious campaign.