Paris St Germain once again drop points in Ligue 1, this time at home against rivals Olympique Lyonnais. The Capital club could’ve been suffering from a Champions league hangover, but excuses aside, coach Laurent Blanc has some serious problems to discuss with the entire squad. 7 games into the season, Les Bleus have drawn 5– it seems as though a shadow has cast over the Parc Des Princes as even the rumble of their Parisen fans couldn’t seem to lift them into champions spirits.
Their overall performance was like a spring afternoon with a chance of showers–absolutely inconsistent. Forward Edison Cavani opened scoring at the Parc Des Princes in an accelerated fashion from a beautiful pass by Lucas Digne off the left-wing, heading it right behind Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
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Lyon on the other hand, a side farther down the peeking table than PSG, had alot to prove to their powerful counter parts. Lyon certainly deserved the equalizing goal that Samuel Umtiti surged right into the back of the net in the 84th minute. A complete mess in the 18 yard box, Paris’ defense played tick-tak toe with Lyon, finally chipping a pass to Umititi and sending Salvatore Sirigu on the wrong footing to draw the game.
Lyon also pushed for other threatening chances, but ultimately failed–but the lesson remains that Paris were out classed at times. The east side club also played former PSG right back, Christophe Jallet, who looks to be settling properly. Yet, after Lyon’s triumphant goal the momentum hardly shifted and instead became aggressive and gritty as the frustration of the entire Paris squad became clear on the pitch.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s star-dust has faded much in the last few appearances the Swede has made–this is not to discount his incredible display against ASSE or for Sweden; but it is to wonder what the shift in atmosphere is like in Paris. According to PSG-Tourist on Twitter, tensions are high.
Reports of #PSG dressing room unhappiness being covered in L'Equipe and Le Parisien today.
— PSG Tourist (@PSGTourist) September 19, 2014
Le Parisien: Cavani, Cabaye and BBBlaise all unhappy with their respective situations at #PSG
— PSG Tourist (@PSGTourist) September 19, 2014
With a dressing room filled with ego, stardom and most likely the highest pay checks in France to date–tensions are surely going to broil. Laurent Blanc has not been able to be compelled enough by the teams inability to perform like the champions that Paris are , as his tactics haven’t changed. He is also unable to treat the squad choices with consistency also–a midfield that is overwhelming with talent, but needs certain traits in certain games. It seems as though he isn’t sure which games need the creativity of say Yohan Cabaye or Javier Pastore, versus the defensive skills of Thiago Motta, to the engine tank of Blaise Matuidi.
As a fan, I can just see that the chemistry of the squad is surely rumbling with something fierce beneath the surface. The squads will to play magical football is not by any means being displayed on any platform, including their favourite, the Champions league. Perhaps its too early to tell–but this kind of explicit problem will only make the entire team suffer. Another thing that must be addressed is the lack of leadership. If PSG-Tourist on Twitter is correct–the problem could lie with their talisman.
L'Equipe say the French players don't like it that Ibra and his buddies get preferential treatment. I for one didn't see this coming. #PSG
— PSG Tourist (@PSGTourist) September 19, 2014
This is purely speculation until proven, but it makes perfect sense. First off, Zlatan’s job while Thiago Silva is recovering from injury is to withhold the Captaincy of the team. If his attitude and form has fallen in an abyssal slump–the rest of the team suffers very hard. Even without him, such as his absence during the Champions league quarter finals–the team still relies on his power. If he cannot exude that need for the squad, the chemistry is broken.
A man who single-handedly could go down in Ligue 1 as one of the best, if not the best player to play in France, could be tainting his legacy with this kind of attitude. If these speculations are true, as a fan I am whole heartily disappointed. These become bigger problems than just simple football tactics, it becomes mental instability.
No matter how much money Nasser Al-Khelaifi has, there is no sum of money which can correct that.