PSG vs. Montpellier: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game
Paris Saint-Germain welcome Montpellier HSC to Parc des Princes on Saturday, looking to get back to winning ways in Ligue 1.
The French champions went down 1-0 away to EA Guingamp with a lifeless display last Sunday, totally outdone by their more motivated Breton hosts. However, they remain just one solitary point behind bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille at the top of Le Championnat.
"2 - Paris SG have suffered two defeats in a row for only the third time since 2011/12. Unusual.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 15, 2014"
Marcelo Bielsa’s men failed to open up a four-point gap at the summit, slipping to a 1-0 away defeat of their own at AS Monaco, and PSG will look to put some final pressure on OM ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Lille OSC.
Laurent Blanc’s men beat AC Ajaccio 3-1 away in the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday and will be expected to build on that to finish 2014 in relatively convincing fashion.
Here are some key issues and decisions that will shape the Ligue 1 game.
Does Laurent Blanc Bring Back PSG’s Star Names?
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PSG boss Blanc rested a host of star names for the midweek Coupe de la Ligue win over Ajaccio. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta, Javier Pastore, Marco Verratti and Maxwell were all missing in Corsica as the team eventually overcame the Ligue 2 side.
Le President now has to decide how many of those big characters he brings back into the team for the visit of Montpellier.
Pastore could miss out once again, having missed the last few games with a calf problem. There have been no new developments to suggest that he might be fit, but the likes of Motta and Verratti are sure to return.
Ibrahimovic, Silva and Maxwell will also likely feature, unless the Swede and Blanc decide that it is better for PSG’s No. 10 to rest his heel.
Is the Real Lucas Barrios Finally Emerging at Montpellier?
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For the first 10 appearances in his Montpellier loan spell, Lucas Barrios could not hit a barn door.
The Argentina-born Paraguay international was firing blanks, but all of a sudden managed to provide a goal for teammate Jonas Martin and then find the net himself in a surprise 4-0 away win over Stade Rennais.
Since then, the confidence has been flowing once again, and the 30-year-old scored in a second successive game in the 3-3 draw with RC Lens last weekend.
All of a sudden, there are signs that La Pantera could be about to announce his return to top form with a goal away at PSG on Saturday.
PSG Need to Rediscover Their Defensive Solidity
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Coming into the Montpellier clash, PSG have not kept a clean sheet in five matches in all competitions. Not since the 1-0 win over OGC Nice at the end of November have they managed to shut out the opponent, and Blanc will be keen to change this come Saturday.
In order to provoke the right response from his team, Le President could make one or two changes at the back. Gregory van der Wiel will surely come in to replace Serge Aurier, Maxwell will likely return in place of Lucas Digne and one of David Luiz or Marquinhos will probably make way for captain Thiago Silva.
It is also possible that Blanc keeps his skipper on the bench, instead preferring to give more time to the deserving Marquinhos.
Montpellier’s Inconsistency
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Rolland Courbis’ Montpellier side come into Saturday’s clash riddled by inconsistency. At no point so far this season have La Paillade managed to go more than two matches unbeaten.
"47 - @MSanson20 scored after 47 seconds against Lens, @MontpellierHSC's fastest goal since their return to Ligue 1 five years ago. Flash.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 13, 2014"
Currently, they have not lost in their last two games and have only won back-to-back contests once this season.
Last time out, MHSC drew 3-3 with RC Lens and currently sit in ninth. A win or a draw in the French capital would represent a very positive result for Courbis and his players.
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