Paris Saint-Germain vs. Olympiakos: 6 Things We Learned
Paris Saint-Germain reached the round of 16 of the Champions League, thanks to a narrow 2-1 home win over Olympiakos at the Parc des Princes.
In doing so, the French champions secured the top spot in Group C (h/t ESPN FC) and therefore a more favourable opening draw in the latter stages in theory.
"We reached our objective," manager Laurent Blanc revealed to PSG.fr after the match (translated from French as a bilingual). "The result allows us to qualify and finish top of the group. It was a complicated match, but we got there and it is very satisfying for the group of players and the staff."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani were on the scoresheet for the hosts. It was only the second time that both players have featured for PSG in the same game.
Kostas Manolas netted what turned out to be a consolation goal for the Greek side.
Marco Verratti saw red for two bookable offences less than one minute into the second half, which meant that PSG had to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.
After the one-man advantage temporarily made a difference for the visitors, Cavani scored in the dying seconds to secure first place and a berth in the latter stages for Blanc's side.
Here are six things we learned from PSG 2-1 Olympiakos.
Ibrahimovic: 100 and Not Out
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Less than 10 minutes into the clash with Olympiakos, Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his eighth goal in the Champions League this season, half of which have been assisted by Gregory van der Wiel.
The strike takes him up to 17 goals in all competitions this campaign: nine in Ligue 1 as well as eight in Europe.
Making his 100th appearance, this talismanic striker put in another good performance for Laurent Blanc's side. Only six others have reached the same mark.
Dropping deep when needed, the Swede took his goal well, looked to bring Edinson Cavani into the play and was PSG’s main threat all game.
His substitution to make way for Marquinhos was arguably premature, and it preceded an immediate Olympiakos equaliser, although the Brazilian did contribute toward the hosts' winning goal.
However, his goal beat George Weah’s record of seven for PSG in their 1994-1995 Champions League campaign.
Olympiakos' Costly Lapse in Concentration
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Perhaps it was ultimately a difference in fitness levels between the two sides that told, but PSG predator Edinson Cavani snatched a late winner for the hosts when it had looked like they had to settle for a point.
Olympiakos probably thought that they had done enough to secure the draw following Kostas Manolas’ strike, but "El Matador" made them pay for switching off at the end. The difference was that PSG did not lose their focus until the very last kick of the match.
Substitute Marquinhos provided the pass for the Uruguayan.
Olympiakos' equaliser was fortuitous in all fairness. Alejandro Dominguez was offside from Kostas Manolas' header, but the team should have been able stay focused for the final 10 minutes.
Instead PSG were rewarded for continuing to come forward, exposing their visitors and snatching the win.
Verratti Back to His Old Tricks
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Marco Verratti’s newfound self-control exhibited this season finally came to an end with his red card against Olympiakos.
The Italian international picked up a needless first yellow card in the first half and followed it with a petulant second less than one minute into the second 45.
Discipline had been a problem for the diminutive midfielder last year, but it looked as if he had started to mend his ways this campaign with improved behaviour.
However, that has proved to be a false dawn, and Laurent Blanc will need to keep his young midfielder in check to make sure this is an isolated incident.
Olympiakos' Lack of Fitness
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Having dragged PSG back to level terms in their first encounter back in September, Olympiakos capitulated to three second-half set-piece goals in Piraeus because of a lack of stamina and focus.
This time, the Greek champions’ lack of fitness was not completely telling but did arguably contribute to the loss.
Second to everything in the first half, Jose Miguel Michel’s side never made PSG that uncomfortable in the second half when they were down to 10 men.
Kostas Mitroglou proved to be a handful for the French champions’ defence, but Olympiakos were not able to stretch the back line enough, particularly out wide.
When the Greeks needed to outstrip PSG with a one-man advantage, they weren’t able to muster the stamina to do so. The tame pace of the game suited their hosts.
They got an equaliser from a corner, but it was highly fortuitous. Substitute Alejandro Dominguez was offside when turning Kostas Manolas' effort goal bound, which forced Salvatore Sirigu into an excellent save, but Manolas was there to tap in.
However, they were then beaten when they should have used the one-man advantage to secure a point by keeping the ball away from PSG. Their weariness did not allow them to do that.
Hard Work Not Enough for Lavezzi
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It would be unfair to single out one particular player and blame him for PSG struggling to dominate the game when others were more at fault.
However, work rate alone is not enough for Ezequiel Lavezzi to justify a place in Laurent Blanc’s strongest XI anymore. Particularly when Lucas Moura offers the same with far more of an end product.
Both the Brazilian and Jeremy Menez, who has made half as many starts, are in better form than the Argentine international.
Lavezzi only has one solitary league goal to his name this season and has yet to provide an assist.
His industry cannot be debated, but outside of hard work and energy, he offers nothing that Moura and Menez cannot also provide.
Lavezzi was saved further scrutiny by being substituted in order to maintain midfield dominance in the absence of Verratti after his foolish dismissal. His position in the team is now in question.
Mitroglou Dependency
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Although Kostas Mitroglou is not 100 percent responsible for all of Olympiakos’ goals so far this campaign, his team looks to him for inspiration in the big games.
Michel’s men eventually found a way back into the match at the Parc des Princes through defender Kostas Manolas before Edinson Cavani’s late winner, but Mitroglou was the biggest danger for PSG.
On a number of occasions, the 25-year-old got in behind the defence and caused problems.
The Greek international leading the side might work against the likes of Anderlecht or Benfica, but it won’t against other teams of PSG’s calibre.
Olympiakos will face those sorts of sides in the round of 16 if they are able to qualify.
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