Through the wringer

Three days after their spectacular qualification for the semi-finals of the Coupe de France in Dijon (1-6), Les Parisiens travelled to Picardy to face Amiens in Week 25 of Ligue 1. Set-up in their traditional 4-4-2 but with a reworked starting eleven, in which an Icardi and Cavani duo led the line, Thomas Tuchel's side went through various phases during the match, which finally ended in a draw (4-4).

From the very get go, Les Amiénois, driven on by the Stade de la Licorne, showed positive intentions as they set about trying to unsettle Les Parisiens. And they even found the back of the net with their first chance. Serhou Guirassy won the wall back in midfield and made the most of a run from Gaël Kakuta to beat Keylor Navas with a shot across goal (1-0, 5').

The men from the capital were taken aback by their host's strong start and then looked to attack Gurtner's goal. A back-heeled effort from Edinson Cavani (7'), a half-volley from Angel Di Maria (12') and a lob from the Matador (19') didn't allow them to find the equaliser.

Amiens confidently went about their business and Guirassy had two chances, one after the other (23', 24'). Their approach paid off and Gaël Kakuta scored into the back of the net for their second (2-0, 29') and then a third fell to Fousseni Diabaté (3-0, 40'). But just before the break, Ander Herrera, unmarked at the back post, buried a volley into the back of the net to reduce the gap (3-1, 45').

After half-time, Thomas Tuchel's side started brightly. Régis Gurtner once again pulled out his A game to deny a powerful Edinson Cavani header (50'). But it was Tanguy Kouassi, from a Julian Draxler corner, that scored with an unstoppable finish on the hour mark (3-2, 59'). The pressure then intensified, and from another corner, Tanguy Kouassi once again got above his man in order to connect with the ball and get his side back onto level terms (3-3, 65'). It was with a brace that saw the young Parisian get off the mark in Ligue 1!

Thomas Tuchel brought on Marco Verratti, Marquinhos and Juan Bernat, and Les Parisiens continued to push. And the move paid off as it was a cross from the Spanish left-back that helped Mauro Icardi get the lead for Paris (3-4, 73'). And although Les Rouge et Bleu almost put the game to bed through Edinson Cavani and then Angel Di Maria, it was Les Picards who managed to get an equaliser on the counter, with Guirassy securing a brace (4-4, 91').

Les Parisiens had been put through the wringer, but left Picardy without losing the game. Now, Thomas Tuchel's side can switch their focus to the tricky away trip to Dortmund for the Round of 16 of the Champions League.