PSG's Edinson Cavani Must Prove His Critics Wrong vs. APOEL in Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Cyprus to face UEFA Champions League Group F opponents APOEL on Tuesday is of particular importance to Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan heaped more pressure upon himself with his sending-off immediately after scoring from the penalty spot in the French champions’ 3-1 win over RC Lens at the Stade de France last Friday.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Despite breaking his goalless streak of four Ligue 1 games against the northerners, Cavani’s joy was short-lived. The 27-year-old has undone the hard work he put into his performance and has now jeopardised coach Laurent Blanc’s plans for this weekend’s clash with high-flying Girondins de Bordeaux.

Cavani’s dismissal was symptomatic of his struggles to prove that he can step up for PSG in the absence of strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic. No sooner has he done something worthy of praise, he then immediately finds himself under fire once again.

The French press were once again left underwhelmed by Cavani's latest performance, just weeks after savaging him for his embarrassing performance in the 1-1 draw with AS Monaco.

With a suspension for the Bordeaux encounter looming, El Matador needs to prove his critics wrong by leading the injury-hit French giants past APOEL to at least ensure that they do not throw away their hard-earned advantage over Barcelona at the top of the group.

Cavani’s suspension against Bordeaux might still be overturned, but for now at least, he must start to prove his worth in Nicosia. If he fails to do that, then the criticism he receives will be amplified, particularly if PSG fall to defeat against Bordeaux in his absence.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s current injury struggles do not look like ending anytime soon, with the Swede one of three players to not travel to Cyprus with the rest of the squad. While that is the case, Cavani knows that—when he is fit and available—he will start.

The big question is: What happens if and when Les Parisiens’ talisman returns?

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Cavani’s overall form since Ibrahimovic got injured has not been good enough. There have been some extremely hardworking performances, which must be given the credit they deserve, but one goal in five games across all competitions is simply not acceptable for an attacking player of the South American’s calibre.

Had Zlatan not succumbed to his left heel injury, Cavani may well have even found himself benched already. But, as it is, Blanc has no other real alternatives right now but to play his No. 9. The potential return from injury of Ezequiel Lavezzi could change that, but it will not affect the APOEL game.

In Cyprus, PSG will be looking for a reaction from Cavani following what he no doubts perceives to be an injustice last Friday. The Uruguayan was doing all the right things against Lens; finding spaces, getting chances and generally looking like scoring more than he has in other recent games, but still could not find the net until the chance was practically handed to him on a plate.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

What he really needs to boost his confidence is a goal from open play, a return to being his old self once more. Against APOEL, PSG should—theoretically—create plenty of openings to make that possible. Cavani taking one or more of those chances is a must on Tuesday night at the GSP Stadium in order to silence what will undoubtedly be a raucous home crowd.

However, should Cavani fail to fire against APOEL, then the criticism and pressure will become greater and likely impair El Matador’s performances more than they already have been.

So much was made of Cavani’s position on the pitch over the summer and at the start of this season that, now he is getting the chance to lead the line for PSG, he is being beaten by the stick of expectation created by all of the hype that surrounded his loose deployment as a wide man and his happiness in the French capital.

Failure to step up and score prolifically in the absence of Ibrahimovic proves that Blanc is right to prefer the Swede as the focal point of the attack. Quite simply, Cavani cannot afford to let this next chance go by without some sort of reaction.