PSG vs. Montpellier: 5 Things We Learned from the Ligue 1 Opener

PSG and Montpellier battled to a 1-1 draw that, at many times, could have gone either way. Top marks go to Montpellier's defense, who held out with 10 men for the last 15 minutes of the match.

PSG were sloppy in the first half, but looked much better in the second, as they were able to equalize but not quite find that winning goal.

Read on for some key takeaways from Ligue 1's exciting opener!

Marco Verratti Lacks Composure

Throughout the game, Italian starlet Marco Verratti found himself unable to cope with Montpellier's harassment, giving the ball up regularly and receiving his first yellow card merely 32 minutes into the season.

It's clear, he has a bright future, but for the time being, Blanc's preference for the older, slower Thiago Motta makes sense, as Verratti's performance contributed to the goal against PSG.

Finding himself far up the pitch during the counter, Veratti gestured to the referee rather than track back.

Not very professional. 

PSG's Discipline with the Ball Must Improve

As mentioned in the last slide, PSG were cut down during the first half by a quick counterattack. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was dispossessed in midfield, and Montpellier were very quick to react, with Remy Cabella blasting a close range shot into the upper corner of the net.

PSG showed poor discipline with the ball throughout the first half—it could have been 2-0, had Montpellier striker Emanuel Herrera not blasted his shot narrowly over the bar after yet another quick counter.

PSG's next matches are against recently promoted sides, whose game plan will look a lot like Montpellier's: soak up pressure and look for quick counters. Manager Laurent Blanc will need to answer by fielding a much more disciplined team.

Montpellier Are Very Well-Drilled Defensively

Montpellier withstood an absolute barrage in this match, managing only 30 percent possession and even going down a man after a 72nd minute second yellow for center back Abdelhamid El Kaoutari yet holding on for the draw.

From the very beginning of the match, Montpellier pressed well, forcing turnovers and snuffing out PSG's attempts to pass through them. It took a formation shift and team talk for PSG to break through, and even then, PSG could not find a second goal.

Montpellier really deserve all the credit for their outstanding defensive effort.

Laurent Blanc Is Not Wedded to the 4-4-2

As mentioned in the prior slide, PSG shifted formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1, sending Ezequiel Lavezzi wide left and slotting Javier Pastore in the No. 10 position behind Ibrahimovic.

PSG's buildup play improved as a result, and they found themselves less likely to lose possession in midfield.

As I've mentioned earlier, PSG's squad offers some interesting tactical options. Former manager Carlo Ancelotti seemed almost uninterested in his club's formation so long as the star players were on the field.

Blanc's willingness to tinker in search of the breakthrough is a good sign, as champions cannot afford to drop easy points.

The win didn't come this time around, but it very well may have been a loss had PSG not shifted formation.

There Is Room for Ibrahimovic and Cavani

Anyone wondering if there was room for these two star strikers can stop: There is no doubt these two can play together.

Ibrahimovic has fully embraced his position as a deep-lying target man, acting precisely in that role during PSG's only goal, rising above his marker and heading Javier Pastore's cross directly into the path of Maxwell.

When Cavani finally took the field, the entire team became devoted to finding their new No. 9, which should leave no doubt in anyone's mind that there is more than enough room in Paris for these two prolific strikers. 

In fact, PSG nearly secured a victory on a very well struck, but blocked, Cavani header.