PSG vs Ajaccio live score, updates, highlights, as hosts lead and home fans boo Messi

By | May 13, 2023
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PSG can edge closer to defending their Ligue 1 title with a home win against struggling Ajaccio in Paris on Saturday, but the big pre-match story focuses on the returning Lionel Messi.

Messi was issued with a two-week club suspension at the start of May, following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia for a sponsorship deal, before issuing an apology over the incident.

Manager Christophe Galtier left the Argentinian out of last weekend’s 3-1 win over Troyes, as the controversy continued to build, but he has confirmed the saga is now over and Messi is back in the fold.

With so much attention on Messi, the buildup has become sidetracked, as PSG need a maximum of seven points from four games to clinch the title. Meanwhile, visitors Ajaccio will be relegated if they lose in Paris.

The Sporting News is following PSG vs. Ajaccio live and providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen on a key night in the Ligue 1 season.

MORE: When can PSG win Ligue 1 title in 2023?

PSG vs Ajaccio live score

  1st Half
PSG 2
Ajaccio 0

Goals:
Ruiz (Danilo) — PSG — 22nd Min

Hakimi (N/A) — PSG — 33rd Min

Confirmed lineups:

PSG (3-4-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Danilo, Marquinhos, Ramos — Hakimi, Verratti, Ruiz, Bernat — Mbappe, Messi, Ekitike

Ajaccio (4-5-1): Sollacaro (GK) —  Youssouf, Avinel, Vidal, Diallo — Barreto, Marchetti, Mangani, Coutadeur, Spadanuda  — El Idrissy

PSG vs Ajaccio live updates, highlights from Ligue 1 clash

HALF TIME: PSG 2 AJACCCIO 0

PSG have cruised into a straightforward 2-0 lead here in Paris, thanks to goals from Ruiz and Hakimi, but the first half story is ALL ABOUT those boos for Messi.

39 mins: Back-to-back Messi free kicks come to nothing and the PSG fans let him know their feelings!

33 mins: 2-0 PSG!!!

Ajaccio’s resilience is broken as Sollacaro can only claw away Mbappe’s drive and Hakimi taps home an easy second.

*Video available in USA

26 mins:  A deflected half chance for Messi is easily gathered by Ajaccio keeper François-Joseph Sollacaro. The boos continue for PSG returning star.

22 mins: GOALLLLLLLL…..PSG TAKE THE LEAD!!!

The Messi whistles continue to rain down at the Parc des Princes……as PSG take the lead!!

Danilo’s through ball releases Fabian Ruiz behind the Ajaccio defence and the Spanish star buries his chance!!

*Video available in USA

15 mins: Ajaccio carve out their first chance of the night, as Mickaël Barreto gets away from his marker, but Gianluigi Donnarumma is on alert to parry away his header.

Messi is yet to get involved for PSG, but the home fans have made the feelings clear on the returning Argentinian…..

10 mins: PSG have dominated the opening stages, with the early pattern set, as Ajaccio keep 11 players behind the ball. Avinel gets back into position to thwart Mbappe inside the box.

KICKOFF: PSG VS AJACCIO!!!

30 mins from kickoff: PSG’s main men are back in Paris….can Messi and Mbappe drive the hosts closer to the title?

1 hr from kickoff: TEAM NEWS IS IN!!

Galtier has stuck to his word on Messi’s return in Paris with two changes for the hosts as Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery drop to the bench.

Messi joins Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike in attack with Achraf Hakimi a direct swap for Zaire-Emery.

Four changes from the visitors, as they pray for a survival miracle, with Cedric Avinel, Isamel Diallo, Michael Barretto and Mounaim El Idrissy coming in.

1 hr 30 mins from kickoff: PSG’s treatment of Messi has been criticised by former his Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano.

2 hrs from kickoff: All eyes on Messi as Galtier confirms he will start tonight!

PSG vs Ajaccio lineups

Messi is back in the starting line up, as expected, with Vitinha on the bench, as Achraf Hakimi replaces Warren Zaire-Emery at right wing.

PSG starting lineup (3-4-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Danilo, Marquinhos, Ramos — Hakimi, Verratti, Ruiz, Bernat — Mbappe, Messi, Ekitike

On the back of a solid 0-0 draw at home to Toulouse last weekend, visiting boss Olivier Pantaloni sticks with a 4-5-1 system, with Mounaim El Idrissy leading the attack.

Ajaccio starting lineup (4-5-1): Sollacaro (GK) —  Youssouf, Avinel, Vidal, Diallo — Barreto, Marchetti, Mangani, Coutadeur, Spadanuda  — El Idrissy

MORE: Lionel Messi stats 2022/23: PSG goals, assists and more

PSG vs Ajaccio live stream, TV channel

  Date Time TV channel Streaming
USA Sat, May 13 3 p.m. EDT beIN Sports Fubo,
beIN Connect
Canada Sat, May 13 3 p.m. EDT beIN Sports Fubo,
beIN Connect
UK Sat, May 13 8 p.m. BST BT Sport 1 BT Sport site/app
India Sun, May 14 12:30 a.m. IST — —
Australia Sun, May 14 5 a.m. AEST beIN Sports 3 beIN Connect,
Kayo Sports
New Zealand Sun, May 14 7 a.m. NZST — —
Hong Kong Sun, May 14 3 a.m. HKT beIN Sports 2 beIN Connect,
M Plus Live,
NOW Player
Malaysia Sun, May 14 3 a.m. MYT — beIN Connect
Singapore Sun, May 14 3 a.m. SGT — beIN Connect

USA: This match is televised on beIN Sports which is streamed on Fubo, available to new users on a free trial.

Canada: Every Ligue 1 game in 2022/23 streams live on Fubo via beIN Sports.

UK: This match will be available via BT Sport’s TV and streaming services.

Australia: Ligue 1 games are streamed live via beIN Sports.

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