Thiago Motta Masterclass vs. Lille Shows Why PSG Want to Keep the Italian
With his team down to 10 men and drawing 0-0 away at Lille OSC on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc opted to withdraw Javier Pastore and send on Thiago Motta to shore up the midfield.
After Adrien Rabiot’s 28th-minute red card for two bookable offences, the hosts had started to build up momentum and half-time arrived at the perfect moment for Le President.
Losing control of the midfield, the French tactician introduced Motta and the Italian demonstrated in 45 second-half minutes exactly why the French champions are so keen to keep him this season.
PSG went on to beat les Dogues 1-0, handing Herve Renard a losing start as coach. However, had Motta not come on and seized control of the encounter, the final result may well have been different.
It has been an awkward summer for the Italy international. After declaring his desire to leave Parc des Princes at the start of the summer, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC’s Ian Holyman), the Ligue 1 giants have been trying hard to persuade him to stay.
Motta’s stance has not changed much and as well as being linked with a return to Internazionale, the 32-year-old has also been touted as a target for former club Atletico Madrid.
The player appears to favour a return to Vicente Calderon, admitting as much to L’Equipe (h/t PA Sport and ESPN FC) after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in pre-season.
He has always insisted that his future lies in the hands of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, though, and the Qatari appears to have had the final say on a potential move for Les Parisiens’ No. 8.
Al-Khelaifi told the press at Angel Di Maria’s unveiling on Thursday that he is not for sale, per ESPN FC’s Ian Holyman.
As a result of his standoff with the club, Motta has barely had a pre-season, despite being back in training since early July with the rest of PSG’s non-international stars.
The former Barcelona and Genoa CFC man featured for one half against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup, but otherwise he had not seen any other action before Friday’s appearance in the win over Lille.
Despite that rustiness, Motta was superb. The Italian immediately slipped into his favoured deep-lying role, taking control of the game and dictating the tempo for Blanc’s men.
PSG immediately switched gears and the passing was sharper and more purposeful. Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi also responded well to his introduction, easing back into their familiar routine as Blanc restored his preferred midfield trio.
Although it was just 45 minutes, it was an example of exactly what Motta brings to this team and the verdict was unanimous from his team-mates, the midfielder was the reason for their making light of a one-man disadvantage.
Speaking with Foot Mercato (in French) in the mixed zone after the match, Edinson Cavani revealed that Motta is one of the best players he has played with and somebody that El Matador always wants to have on his team.
The Uruguayan went on to emphasise that the whole squad are hoping Motta decides to stay in Paris and Cavani insisted he still has a lot to give to this team.
Despite an obvious lack of match fitness, it was clear at Stade Pierre-Mauroy that Motta was in better form than last year.
The spark that he once had, which was feared lost, is still there and if Blanc can get him back to full fitness, then the Italian should go on to play an integral role once again for the champions.
As long as he stays fit and avoids suspension, Motta could go on to replicate his excellent performances from the 2013-14 season. Back then, he was one of the side’s main influences as PSG won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue in Blanc’s debut campaign as coach.
