PSG exit underlines top duo’s limitations
Print Edition
PARIS Saint-Germain’s fourth straight failure to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday exposed the limitations of coach Laurent Blanc and again took the wind out of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Premier League ambitions.
The former France coach’s decision to reinstate Serge Aurier and an unexpected tactical shift backfired spectacularly in the second leg of the tie against Manchester City, which did not have to do much to win 1-0 for a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
PSG was without its usual formidable midfield as Marco Verratti was ruled out injured, Blaise Matuidi was suspended and Thiago Motta limped off the pitch in the first half.
With center back David Luiz suspended, Blanc, who recently extended his contract until 2018, opted for a 3-5-2 formation instead of his usual 4-3-3.
It was reminiscent of France’s Euro 2012 quarterfinal against Spain, where Blanc fielded two fullbacks on the same flank and they were picked apart.
“The defeat is on me,” said Blanc, who will also no doubt regret giving Aurier his first start since February as the defender looked off the pace throughout and lost possession to hand City the early penalty that Sergio Aguero missed.
However, if Blanc came out of the game badly, Ibrahimovic probably suffered even more costly reputational damage.
The striker, who famously described himself as perfect and said recently that PSG did not exist before Qatar Sport Investment took over in 2011, missed a penalty in the first leg and was a pale shadow of himself at the Etihad.
Often playing deep, he carried little threat as the Swede, who scored 30 goals in Ligue 1 this season, had only two long-range free kicks and a late disallowed goal to show for his forgettable efforts.
He has reportedly been touting himself to the Premier League in recent weeks, with Manchester United said to be among his preferences, but on the evidence of Tuesday’s performance few clubs would be keen to fork out the huge salary he would demand.
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