PSG - Serial Underachievers in Europe?

PSG had the Ligue 1 title all sewn up before they even took on Manchester City in the Champions League Quarter Final with a record margin. Currently sitting 30 points clear of Olympique Lyon in 2nd place, the side from the province of Rhone-Alpes are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the league leaders, a testament to the monopoly the Parisians have over the league. Despite all this domestic success, they are still perennial underachievers on the European stage.

Since their domestic success started in 2012-2013 with their first league title in 19 years, it is safe to say that PSG have been labelled as the 'nearly-men.' They have all the right tools, but just can't utilise them on the big stage. For the fourth time in a row, they have failed to progress pass the Quarter Final stage. How can side with world-class players such as Angel di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti and the notorious Zlatan Ibrahimovic constantly fail?

Admittedly last year, they faced Barcelona in the quarter final stage, a team that were right on the top of their game and eventual treble winners. They were beaten by a much more cohesive and well drilled side 5-1 on aggregate with the damage being done with a 3-1 loss in the first leg at the Parc des Princes. 

Yet just this year, they had a great chance of defeating Manchester City and progressing to their first semi final in this short spell. Despite the deciding goal from Kevin de Bruyne being a cracker, PSG coughed up too many chances in the away leg including an unconverted penalty opportunity caused by a stray pass from Serge Aurier. Equally, an error was capitalised on by Fernandinho in the opening leg, who threaded a ball through to de Bruyne and the Belgian opened the scoring in the tie. The second goal could also have been prevented but it levelled up the first leg and gave Manchester City two away goals.

In Marco Verratti they possess one of the world's brightest midfield prospect. Only aged 23, he has already made 105 league appearances as well as a further 29 in Europe. Even as one of the younger players in the French champion's side, so much of the play goes through him. Not only is he a quality passer of the ball that has been compared to the great Andrea Pirlo, but he also as a decent defensive side to his game, averaging 2 defensive actions per game this season. It will be interesting to see in the near future if more failings in the Champions League whether Verratti will jump ship to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Player performance wise, Angel di Maria has recaptured the form he displayed while at Real Madrid, while Ibrahimovic, at the tender age of 34 is still banging in goals for fun, 34 in the league this season. Edinson Cavani is an able strike partner for the Swede contributing 28 goals and 4 assists to the cause. It has however been rumoured in the past that the pair do not get on. Just last season, both were pictured becoming increasingly frustrated with each other, reaching the point where Ibrahimovic refused to pass the Uruguayan the ball on a simple two-on-one with the keeper and instead squandered the chance. It has been argued that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is holding the side back and this reasoning sounds very plausible

Too little domestic competition?
Everyone quickly jump to suggest that the lack of competition in the league will play a factor with the performances in Europe and I totally agree. It is human nature for players to ease of the gas when they are 3 or 4 goals up. In four of the last six league games this season, PSG have scored four goals. Against the bottom side, Troyes, they netted 9 times. scoring three goals in the opening 20 minutes. It's not surprising that if a side continually relaxes after 60-70 minutes, then it will become a vicious circle where they will struggle to concentrate mentally for the full match.

Poor manager?
There has been speculation of a change at the helm with the recent Champions League exit. Laurent Blanc has not had the toughest of jobs with PSG, particularly with having a budget bigger than any of the Ligue 1 competition. However, dealing with the amount of egos that he has to, he has to be credited. Blanc has been rumoured with the Manchester United job, however Jose Mourinho appears to be the most likely recipient if Louis Van Gaal does decide to retire. He has played the same tactic in Europe where they have been less effective. The 4-3-3 with either Ibrahimovic or Cavani up top and Angel di Maria on the flank, has been useful in the group stages, but they need to play a bit more conservative against the sides with more quality. It is likely that they wouldn't have the most possession so it would be more sensible to sacrifice an attacker to put another in midfield.

Are they likely to win the competition in the next 3 seasons?
I think they will eventually break their duck of not being able to qualify for the semi finals of the Champions League in the near future. Generally over the last years they have been unlucky with the groups that they have been placed in - Real Madrid in this year's group and Barcelona last year. As well as this they generally have been unlucky in the knock out rounds, receiving Manchester City in the quarter finals this season when they could have got Benfica or Wolfsburg. If PSG build up some momentum with good results in the group stage, coupled with fortunate draws in the next two rounds, it is very possible that they would have the confidence to defeat the big sides when the competition gets serious. I do believe with the quality of the players in the side, PSG will be crowned European Champions in the not too distant future.

Having been given the vote of confidence by the board this season, Laurent Blanc will remain in charge of PSG for the summer at the bare minimum. However the pressure must be building as they look to break their streak of bad fortune and enter into Europe's elite. 

PSG Remain Unbeaten in the League

Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Layvin Kurzawa, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura gave PSG a comfortable victory over Saint Etienne and ensure the Ligue 1 holders remain unbeaten in the league.

Having returned from a Europa League tie against Dnipro in Ukraine, it was no surprise that St Etienne surrendered most of the possession to their hosts and tiredness was evident as the match progressed.

The first chance did fall to PSG, as Angel Di Maria a terrific out-swinging corner found the head of Thiago Motta but he could not direct the header on target. Two chances followed for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he failed to control the first and fired the second straight at the keeper.

Saint Etienne had the first attack on the 15 minute mark, when Valentin Eysseric's shot grazed the post. PSG took the lead 7 minutes later through Layvin Kurzawa. With Saint Etienne playing a high line, Kurzawa found himself in space on the left. He beat the defender before firing the shot into the back of the net via the hand of Stephane Ruffier for his first goal since joining the club from AS Monaco in the summer. With PSG completely dominant in the first half hour, it was only a matter of time before the second goal came.

After a terrific interception from Thiago Silva launched a counter attack, Angel Di Maria picked up the ball and struck a shot from outside the box that Ruffier had to parry to safety. Despite this, the visitors had grown into the game and were beginning to get foothold, but similarly, PSG look like they can add to their goal if and when they want.

Ruffier saved Saint Etienne's blushes with another terrific save in the second quarter of the game. After a loose pass was picked up by Cavani, Ibrahimovic was played through and he very unselfishly squared the ball to partner Cavani but his attempted shot was blocked by the goal keeper. A super save that kept the deficit at just one goal. Shortly before the interval the big Swede had another chance to double his side's lead, but his header looped over the bar off a Di Maria cross.

Straight from the kick off in the second period, PSG showed their attacking strength. Di Maria's shot trickled just wide and shortly after, Ibrahimovic squared a ball across the box for Cavani to tap in. The same pair linked up minutes later but Cavani scuffed his shot wide. He really should have done better. Saint Etienne were getting punished for their high defensive line and open play and with the continental hangover looming, a humbling was on the cards if they don't tighten up.

The third goal was scored through Saint Etienne's worst nightmare, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A sharp turn from Di Maria allowed the Argentine space and his pass found Edinson Cavani. With Ibra in the box, he repaid the pass earlier in the second half offered by the Swede and squared it to give the the 34 year old his 9th goal in his last five games against away side. Not known for their passing relationship, Cavani and Ibrahimovic surprised many tonight.

Saint Etienne managed to get a goal back in comical fashion. Kevin Monnet-Paquet's cross was poorly hacked away by Marquinhos and in an attempt to either control or clear the ball, Marco Verratti deflected it into the back of his own net. Even though it proved nothing more than a consolation, PSG will be annoyed to have conceded their clean sheet.

That goal for Saint Etienne seemed to give the side a bit of a lift, as several chances fell to the away side with Robert Beric having the pick of them. However a fourth PSG goal was scored as full time approached. Verratti dinked the ball into the box and Lucas Moura's header was clumsily dealt with by Ruffier and the ball managed to cross the line. The veteran Saint Etienne keeper had a good night, with this being the only blemish on his performance.

The PSG midfield won the game tonight. They retained possession expertly while fighting for the ball when they lost it. The Saint Etienne midfield was often outnumbered when Ibrahimovic dropped back or when Di Maria cut inside. A victory was nothing short of what Laurent Blanc expected of his side and as they look almost invincible in the league, much will be expected of them in Europe. 

The Transformation of PSG

A stunning, disciplined performance from 10 man PSG ensured a confident victory over Chelsea in the Champions League last 16. The game was not without its controversial moments, including the red card to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a penalty shout for Diego Costa in the first half. However, the thing I found most commendable was the transformation that has taken place since the New Year.

Before Christmas, rumours of a fractured dressing room in the French capital appeared, with strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani in the thick of it. A disagreement between the pair saw, queries over the future of Cavani at the club and the future of Laurent Blanc as manager. I remember seeing one clip in particular where Ibra was in a 2 on 1 with Cavani against a defender with a simple pass to the side would have allowed Cavani to have an unchallenged shot at goal, instead, he didn't pass and the move broke down. The look of disgust on the Uruguayan's face was unforgettable.

It is worth noting that the Parisians did not lose a game until the Champions League away match against Barcelona in December and the next loss followed suit against Guingamp 4 days later. However numerous draws halted their climb up the Ligue 1 table. During the month of September they recorded just 2 wins and 4 draws, not good by the high standards set at the club. December was another bad month, as they only picked up 8 points out of a possible 18 in all competitions. Worse was yet to come.

The January game against Bastia is probably the lowest point of the season to date. PSG raced into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes through goals from Lucas Moura and Adrien Rabiot and were entirely commanding in the opening exchanges. There is only one explanation as to why they conceded 4 unanswered goals. Complacency. PSG had by far the superior starting 11 on paper, but gifting them 2 goals gave them the momentum and then it was very hard for the Parisians to get back to the top. 

The Christmas period was particularly difficult as fresh rumours of discontent rumbled in the air. Again Cavani was in the middle of it. Both him and fellow countryman Ezequiel Lavezzi were suspended internally for 2 games after they failed to report back to the training camp in Morocco after a week off. The dressing room was divided with some players jealous at the privileges others got. Players that were out of form seemed undroppable leaving those on the bench irritated and confused. Laurent Blanc had his hands full of many problems in the French capital. 

What happened last night against Chelsea and can Blanc carry this on into the closing stages of the season?

To start with, no one can deny that Chelsea were diabolical, and this would have made it a whole lot easier for Blanc's men even if they were down to 10 men for 90 minutes of the match. Blanc hit the nail on the head with the tactics and was able to take advantage of PSG's unknown superiority at set pieces. It was nothing less than what they deserved.

Looking at the controversial incidents during the match, the challenge from Ibra looked like a leg breaker but it was a 50/50 challenge with both players having a keen intent on going for the ball. It's easy to criticise the referee, but it's occasions like this where they would benefit greatly from the introduction of a television match official or 'TMO'. It is also simple to condemn the despicable Chelsea players from surrounding the ref, but it's commonplace in today's game - not that it makes it acceptable.

Diego Costa was a constant liability during the game and it amazes me as to how he was never sent off, but he had a 'stonewall' penalty appeal refuted as some would say. It was terrific skill from the ex Brazilian but it was quite clear he never had any intention of getting a shot away. There was contact but it needs to be emphasised that not all contact is considered a foul. If it was, then I would go to write about chess or something daft like that. Costa has got a tremendous amount of ability, but his temperament can cost his team.

Looking at PSG themselves, they knew all their roles. Marco Verratti was at his niggly best, Javier Pastore ran himself into the ground and Sirigu produced several fine saves to keep the Parisians in the tie. It was written in the script for David Luiz to score against his former club last night, following suit with Klass-Jan Huntelaar the night before and Danny Welbeck on Monday. As much as we all like to abuse him for his distinct lack of defensive qualities and just being an all round shambolic defender, Luiz does try his best. That statement may seem like a bit of a cop-out, but he showed a tremendous amount of passion, unlike a few others on the pitch and looking back on it, did so through out the World Cup.

PSG put in a professional performance last night, similar to Chelsea's against Barcelona in 2012. The task for Laurent Blanc will be to keep his players singing from the same hymn book and they definitely topple Lyon at the top of Ligue 1. As for the Champions League, it is probably a bit further in the distance yet. Managing a dressing room packed with egos is difficult, but I take confidence from the victory of Stamford Bridge that Blanc is the right man to lead them to glory.