Only official news will be published. That includes: • OFFICIAL STATEMENTS/SQUAD SELECTIONS FROM PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN OR SWEDISH FA.• OFFICIAL STATEMENTS/DRAWS ETC. FROM UEFA AND FIFA.• POSTS MADE BY ZLATAN IN HIS APP "ZLATAN UNPLUGGED".• POSTS MADE ON ZLATAN'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM.• VIDEO/RADIO-INTERVIEWS WITH AVAILABLE VIDEO/AUDIO.We will not publish articles from newspapers/websites if there is no video-interview included. |
PSG beat Rennes 1-0 after a beautiful team-goal and are closing in on Lyon in the top of Ligue 1. Zlatan was involved in the goal and played 90 minutes. Read what he had to say after the game.
During the first half-hour PSG played with all forwards facing the wrong direction, not moving much, and everything was calm for the Rennes defense. Last season, Lavezzi and Cavani made many more sprints causing trouble in the opposition's defense. Is this planned, to take it easy in the beginning of the match and keep the ball within the team?
You got a free kick in the 30th minute, which sparks PSG. 6 passes in 6 seconds, in a frantic tempo, lead to 1-0 PSG. When you increase the tempo like this, making sprints and getting the passes on players facing the right way, you look impossible to stop. How come we don't get to see this kind of sequences more often in the matches?
In the second half you don't look as superior even though you keep the upper hand. You missed some opportunities to close the match, and Rennes got a few chances to equalize. The margin between a win and a draw really isn't that big. But at the same time, the difference between the two teams really should be much greater than a single goal. Is it Rennes that plays well defensively, or are your finishes too weak?
Q: In the media, Blanc has said that you and Cavani must find each other on the pitch more often. Do you talk about this cooperation and practice ways to improve it?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
Important games versus Lyon in the league and Chelsea in Champions League are coming up soon but tonight PSG faces 10th-placed Rennes in Ligue 1. There were talks about Zlatan getting a longer suspension after his yellow card in the last game, but the French Football Federation didn't think so. He says he feels great at the moment, read the interview with him before tonight's game.
Rennes is your opponent on Parc Des Princes tomorrow night. Rennes has not won a league match since December 3rd and are today in tenth place in Ligue 1. At the same time, Rennes has been a difficult team for PSG and the two last meetings in Paris have ended in Rennes wins. What are your thoughts about tomorrow's match?
Since your last match, there has been discussion of whether you should be punished with a red card and suspension after your charge on Romain Hamouma. What are your thoughts about the situation and a possible suspension?
Ahead of you are thirty days of important matches in Ligue 1, The French Cup, The League Cup, and Champions League. A period which in many ways will decide if 2014/15 is a successful season for PSG or not. Do you feel confident with your current form?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
PSG's hunt for Lyon keeps going.
Tonight Rennes was demolished after some trouble but a great team-goal which Lavezzi finished decided it for the Parisiens.
Zlatan vs Saint-Étienne usually ends with a Ibra-victory.
Tonight was no exception.
Ibra scored the only goal on penalty and PSG closed the gap to Lyon.
After resting the last cup-game vs Bordeaux it's time for Zlatan to get on the pitch again. PSG plays 4th placed Saint-Étienne away in the league at 21.00, a very important game. Marseille lost and Lyon won yesterday, so the table is:
1. Lyon. 22 games, 48 points.
2. Marseille. 22 games, 44 points.
3. PSG. 21 games, 41 points.
4. Saint-Étienne. 21 games, 40 points.
Tonight you are up against the top-team Saint-Etienne who is fourth in Ligue 1 for the moment, one point behind PSG. Your last match was the 5th of January when you managed to win 1-0. What are your thoughts about tomorrow's match?
In your last match Laurent Blanc chose to rest you. Do you think you have benefited from not playing the last week – and in that case, in what way?
The league is unexpectedly even with Lyon in the lead with 45 points, 4 more than your PSG. Marseille is also ahead of you with 44 points. Are you surprised at the development of the season?
After a period where things haven't been running so smoothly, tomorrow you enter Stade Geoffroy Guichard with three straight wins. Does it feel like you are about to find your old self, a winning PSG?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
Zlatan scored the only goal on a penalty and PSG beat Saint-Étienne. It was an important win for PSG, read what Zlatan said after the game.
Tonight's match against Saint-Etienne ended the same way the last meeting did, 1-0 to PSG and Ibrahimovic as scorer. Are you happy with the result and your performance?
The penalty situation that led to the 1-0 goal was controversial and your opponents demonstrated their discontent loudly when the referee pointed at the penalty spot. What are your thoughts about the situation? Was it a penalty?
What were your thoughts as you stepped up to the penalty spot and were met by laser pointers and things thrown onto the pitch?
Yes, there was a lot going on around the penalty kick. But I was fully focued and did what is expected of me?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
CAVANI SCORED - HAPPY ZLATAN
Laurent Blanc rested Zlatan in tonight's French Cup-game against Bordeaux. He didn't play at all.
Instead he sat on the bench and watched his PSG win 2-1 after at least some drama at the end.
CAVANI-GOAL
Edinson Cavani scored again, this time only after 13 minutes. And based on the crowd's reaction, it seems like he is forgiven for the christmas behavior. Zlatan looked happy about the goal on the bench (image above).
PSG played well in the first half and in the 33rd minute Pastore made it 2-0, whoch was the halftime result. Bordeaux came out fired up after the break and made it 2-1 after only a minute.
PSG THROUGH TO THE ROUND OF 16
Camara was sent off in the very end which caused some drama but Bordeaux was never really close to scoring that second goal. PSG went through to the Round of 16.
Source: psg.fr.
Laurent Blanc rested Zlatan in tonight's French Cup-game against Bordeaux. He didn't play at all.
Instead he sat on the bench and watched his PSG win 2-1 after at least some drama at the end. Apparently he knew he wouldn't play.
Laurent Blanc has said that you both need more matches and rest, and in tonight's match you started on the bench. Is that a mutual understanding with the coach or a decision he makes on his own??
From the bench you saw Cavani and Pastore celebrate each a goal in the first half. Does that build the collective self-confidence in that scoring is spread over many players?
PSG plays a good first half, but right in the second half Bordeaux comes out with a strong offensive. You have said that it is harder to sit beside the pitch than to be on it. How badly did you want to be substituted to get a chance to affect the game?
You win 2-1 and are through in the French Cup, all according to plan. From your unusual seat on the bench who would you like to name player of the match?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
"I'M USED TO WINNING AWARDS"
Zlatan was selected "Best Swedish Male Athlete 2014" on the Swedish Sports Awards last night.
He won the award before the nominated Marcus Hellner and Daniel Richardsson, cross country skiing and Henrik Lundqvist, ice hockey player.
This was the 4th time Ibra wins the award and the 7th time total he is nominated.
Every year, an award called "Jerringpriset" (The Jerring Award after a radio personality named Sven Jerring) is given out as well. The public gets to vote on their favorite athlete/team of the year, Zlatan was nominated as one of the 10 but didn't win, he ended up 6th. Zlatan has won the award once (2007).
Ibra was not able to get to the Award Show, but was called on the phone and said the following in front of the Ericsson Globe-crowd:
Source: Swedish Sports Awards.
We are in the middle of a hectic period for PSG, and Wednesday at 21.00 it's game time again. PSG-Bordeaux in the French Cup (Round of 32) and Zlatan is in the squad. It's uncertain if he will start or not.
Tomorrow (tonight) it's time for the round of sixteen in the French Cup, when you receive Bordeaux at Parc des Princes. Your opponent won the cup 2012/13, they are right now in seventh place in the league standing, and your last match ended in a 3-0 win for PSG. What are your thoughts about the match?
Right now you're on a tight schedule with many matches. All at once, this match, the semifinal in the League Cup, top-matches in the league, and not least the Champions League matches against Chelsea waiting around the corner. Will this mean a lot of rotation on the team and will you be playing yourself?
There are rumors about another Swede, the young MFF forward Isaac Kiese Thelin is heading for the French league and the opposing team tomorrow, Bordeaux. How do you think your new national teammate would manage in Ligue 1?
You have received some critique in the French press after the lastt matches and there are speculations that your injury break has affected your speed and strength. Is this something you would like to comment on?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
After having problems lately the crowd at Parc des Princes demanded PSG to win today. They didn't get an easy ride.
Evian fought bravely and PSG didn't play their best. But after showing good morale PSG eventually won 4-2 after Zlatan beautifully assisted Cavani for the last goal.
PSG beat Evian after a surprisingly tough game. It was an important win though. Zlatan assisted to the last goal but wasn't totally satisfied with his performance.
In the fourteenth minute Evian silenced Parc des Princes as they scored the 1-0 goal. What was the reaction in the team as you once again were a goal down and could here the worried sigh from the crowd at Parc des Princes?
Towards the end of the first half you manage to turn the match around with goals from är David Luiz and Marco Veratti. After 90 minutes the scoreboard shows 4-2 as Javier Pastore and Edinson Cavani also scored one each. Are there any specific players you would like to praise for their performance?
With a few very skillful passes you are very much involved in the 3-2 and 4-2 goals. What do you think of your own performance?
The two previously banned players, Cavani and Lavezzi, are both substituted onto the pitch and are met with mixed emotions from the home crowd. How important is it to PSG to get the two South Americans back?
Yesterday you called today's match "a match we need to win". Are you happy with 4-2 and 3 points against Evian?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
Evian is coming to Parc des Princes tomorrow at 14.00 and after PSG (temporary?) has lost their winning sense, it's an important game if they are gonna follow Lyon and Marseille in the top of Ligue 1. Zlatan says they have to win.
14.00 on Sunday, your PSG is up against Evian, the eighteenth placed team that is based in Thonon-les-Bains. What are your thoughts about the match?
Evian's top-scorer is the Dane Daniel Wass who, just like you, has scored eight goals in the league and right now is third placed in the top-scorers' standing. How do you see your chances to advance in the standing, passing your opponents Wass, Gignac, and Lacazette?
Tomorrow's match is your first home game for 2015. Do you look forward to playing for your fans on Parc des Princes again?
After the recent slump, with worse results than fans expected, you won the last match, eliminating Saint-Etienne from the League Cup. Was that the turning-point, or does it take more than that to find a winning trend?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
In an intense game with a crazy crowd Zlatan eventually scored the only goal and sent PSG to the League Cup Semifinal.
Zlatan became the gamewinner in the game against Saint-Étienne. Read what he had to say after the game.
After a 1-0 win, PSG eliminates Saint-Etienne from the League Cup and is now ready for the semifinals. Are you happy with your performance?
You scored 1-0 in the 76th minute as you put your chest to the ball and got it across the goal-line. Saint-Etienne's keeper reaches the ball but only right after it crossed the line. What were your thoughts as you decided to chest the ball?
In connection with the goal the match is interrupted for a few minutes as home fans are throwing things on to the pitch, this makes the referee team feel that they can't guarantee player safety. What are your thoughts about the situation?
Several times during the match you seemed frustrated as your offence got stuck over and over. What do you think PSG need to improve until the next match?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
PSG lost 4-2 against Bastia despite having the lead 2-0. Zlatan was obviously disappinted after the game, read what he had to say after the game.
The match against Bastia starts the best possible way and after twenty minutes the scoreboard showed 2-0 to PSG. But when the referee put the whistle to his mouth after 90 minutes the result was 4-2 to Bastia. What went wrong?
You are not noted for any goals or assists and often you dropped down to get more ball-contact and build your game from there. What do you think of your own performance?
After the loss today against the bottom team Bastia there will be discussions once again. Is there a need for PSG to strengthen the squad?
After the setbacks lately, how is the atmosphere in the PSG squad?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
Bastia hadn't beat PSG since February 2003 (!).
And when PSG scored twice in the first 20 minutes, no one in the world believed Bastia would win the game.
They did.
"THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED"
Zlatan has been selected in the UEFA Team of the Year 2014!
For the second consecutive year and 4th time total, he has been voted on the best forwards in the world. The selections are based on the fans votes on uefa.com the past months.
The selected UEFA Team of the Year 2014 in the 4-3-3 formation:
GK: Manuel Neuer, Bayern Münich.
D: Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid.
D: Diego Godin, Atlético de Madrid.
D: Phillip Lahm, Bayern Münich.
D: David Alaba, Bayern Münich.
MF: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid.
MF: Angel Di Maria, Manchester United.
MF: Arjen Robben, Bayern Münich.
F: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid.
F: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ, PSG.
F: Lionel Messi, Barcelona.
Source: uefa.com.
On a terrible football pitch PSG finally managed to beat Montpellier 3-0 in the French Cup and Zlatan became the gamewinner with 1 goal and 1 assist.
PSG won the first game of the year against Montpeiller and Zlatan scored once and made an assist. Read what he had to say after the game.
One goal and one assist in a 3-0 win on a difficult away pitch, against defensively strong Montpellier. Are you happy with the start of 2015?
The pitch looked sub-standard to say the least. How was it to play on and how much did it affect the overall match?
You were involved in your first goal, you got the ball to Clément Chantôme, who got to score his first goal in the PSG jersey since 2012/13. Judging by the roar it seemed like a goal that has been awaited for a long time?
Fifteen minutes later, you put a nail in the coffin when you got a controlled header in the net to 2-0. It was your fist goal since the CL match against Barcelona on the 10th of December. Was it a good feeling to get back on the scoreboard again?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
PSG is restarting the year with the French Cup-game against Montpeiller tonight at 20.45 CET and this is what Zlatan has to say before the game.
Tomorrow, the French Cup starts for you as you meet Montpellier away. You played the whole practice match against Inter, and you have said before that what you need right now is match training. Will we see you tomorrow against Montpellier?
In the last match before the Christmas break you played 0-0 against Montpellier at Parc des Princes. Now it's an away match and on top of that Sirigu, Motta, Bahebeck, Lavezzi, and Cavani are not available. What kind of match do you expect tomorrow – and who will win it?
The transfer window is open again and rumors are circulating. Do you think there will be any changes on the PSG squad?
As the football year 2015 starts, you are third placed in the league and you are still in the running for all three cups. How many titles do you need to win for you to be content with the 2014/2015 season?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
