PARIS.
Is Z in pain? Probably.
Is Z in his best form? Questionably.
Is Z scoring lots of goals? Definitely!
– Physically I need to play more matches and that will also get the rhythm going again. But the heel is not 100 %, Zlatan said after the game.
We will have to live with the constant questions about his injury.
But today Zlatan Ibrahimović made a great statement by leading PSG to the victory with two goals. The 2-1-goal was an amazing free kick in the second half and Parc des Princes was boiling with high voices of "Ibra, Ibra".
1ST HALF: SUPER-START FROM NANTES
The game had barely started when Nantes Bedoya struck a super-strike straight up in Sirigus right corner, 0-1 already in the 8th minute. And they continued creating several opportunities directly after... it looked like PSG was asleep.
– We were unlucky and they scored a goal on us, which made things harder. What's important then is to create chances and score on them, Zlatan said afterwards.
ZLATAN'S FIRST GOAL
But PSG played better and better the longer the first half went and pushed back Nantes. Without creating any real chances though. Until the 34th minute. Then it was time for Zlatan.
In a PSG counter attack, Pastore passed Lucas to the right. The Brazilian looked up and saw the Swede storming in, hit a low cross to Zlatan who threw himself just before the Nantes-defender and nicely put the ball in goal with his left foot, 1-1.
SUPER FREE KICK GOAL FROM ZLATAN
The second half was only a couple of minutes old when it was time for Ibracadabra again. Lucas got a freekick to the right, close to the penalty area. Who took it? Of course Zlatan who BOMBED it in the left corner. 2-1 to PSG and even though Zlatan hadn't had his best game, two goals and PSG lead the game. Ibracadabra!
PSG-CONTROL IN SECOND HALF
Zlatan's goal completely changed the game. PSG kept possession, had confidence and Nantes looked tired and not at all as tight as in the first half. Zlatan got more and more involved and with the confidence from the goals, you could see that he felt good on the pitch.
SURPRISINGLY PLAYED 90 MINUTES
PSG kept controlling the game and created a couple of half chances. They had a couple of potential penalties but the referee didn't blow the whistle. PSG made all their substitutions by the 74th minute and considering Zlatan's heel + that he rested in the Lille-game + that PSG plays Barcelona on Tuesday it was very surprising he played the full game. The likely reason: Hat trick-hunt. Which he sadly didn't get, but two goals in a great victory, a great day for Zlatan!
8' - 0-1. Bedoya, Nantes.
34' - 1-1. Zlatan Ibrahimović, PSG.
49' - 2-1. Zlatan Ibrahimović, PSG.
2 |
1 |
|---|
Starting 11: |
|
|---|---|
Goals: |
2 |
Assists: |
– |
Card: |
– |
Minutes: |
90' |
First touch: |
0.01 min |
9 |
1-touch pass |
3 |
15 |
2-touch pass |
4 |
13 |
Multi-touch pass |
6 |
37 |
TOTAL |
13 |
|
|
|
|---|
ON GOAL/GOAL |
WIDE |
OVER |
BLOCKED |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Right Foot Shots |
||||
Left Foot Shots |
#1 |
|||
Headers |
||||
Freekicks |
#2 |
– |
Dribbles |
2 |
– |
Crosses |
– |
4 |
Duels - Header |
1 |
– |
Duels - Physical |
– |
– |
Interceptions |
|
Missed receptions |
3 |
|
– |
Freekicks for/against |
2 |
Offside |
– |
LUCAS out 74' |
LAVEZZI |
|---|
CAVANI in 74' |
|---|
"I NEED TO PLAY MORE MATCHES"
Nantes started the match really strong and got an early lead. But in the 34th minute there was a beautiful counter-attack that resulted in 1-1, Pastore to Lucas who reaches you at the first goal-post. You and PSG performed much better after the goal and took over the match completely. Is it self-confidence that make this big a difference for you, or is it simply due to that your opponents can't keep up with the tempo throughout the whole match?
In the 48th minute you took a free kick that normally would go to someone who is left-footed. All of Parc des Princes shouted "Ibra" and you put 2-1 in the net with a real screamer. You kept growing throughout the game, played the full 90 minutes, scored two goals for your PSG, and seemed to be in great shape. There is a lot of talk about your form right now, but today it looked really good. Does it feel as good as it seem?
You dominated the second half for a long time, but then there were several substitutions from both teams which broke this positive trend a bit. On your part it seems like risking a one-goal lead. Were PSG's substitutions planned due to next week's Champions League match and that you want to rest players?
On Wednesday, it's time for Barcelona away in the Champions League. The group victory is at stake and as you have said before this is of great importance considering the other group winners. This top meeting will attract more than 90 000 catalans to Europe's biggest arena. Of course PSG are aiming for a very important goal; both defeating Barcelona and winning the group. For group victory a draw is enough. When do you leave for Spain and how psyched are you for this clash of giants on your old home ground?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
= Goal
= On Goal
= Wide/Over/Blocked