Saint Etienne vs. PSG: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1 Game
Paris Saint-Germain moved level with Marseille in second place in the Ligue 1 table with a gritty 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne on Sunday night.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the only goal in a game that sparked into life in the second half; Les Verts threatened late on but couldn't find the clinical edge required to test Salvatore Sirigu.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Marquinhos, Who Impressed out of Position
1 of 5
Paris Saint-Germain's all-Brazilian back four had little to do from a defensive perspective, but Marquinhos, playing out of position at right-back, had a great game going forward.
He was involved heavily in Les Parisiens' buildup play and worked his way into several dangerous positions. His crosses were good, and his understanding with close off-pitch friend Lucas Moura is clear to see, as it translates to the pitch. He made one vital clearance late on as Saint-Etienne pressed for an equaliser.
This versatility is key to Marquinhos getting games—Laurent Blanc will not break up the Thiago Silva-David Luiz pairing.
Loser: David Luiz, Whose Selection at Centre-Back Continues to Baffle
2 of 5
Things aren't getting any more comfortable for David Luiz in Paris any time soon. Another matchday, another so-so performance that leaves questions hanging in the air.
"Credit where it is due, Thiago Silva was immense at the back for PSG today (equalled by Paul Baysse at other end). David Luiz less so.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 25, 2015"
With Marquinhos excelling at right-back, many fans of the capital club are at a loss to explain why he is not the Brazilian to partner Thiago Silva in central defence. Luiz didn't have his worst game, but on Sunday he was at best the third-best central defender on show.
Winner: Paul Baysse, Who Excelled at the Back for Les Verts
3 of 5
At the other end of the spectrum to David Luiz, Saint-Etienne central defender Paul Baysse was fantastic on Sunday. He put in a warrior-like performance and absorbed an awful lot of pressure.
He managed to shut Zlatan Ibrahimovic down fairly comprehensively—so much so, the Swede had a few physical tussles with his opposite number as he vented his frustration—and won himself a few deserved fans on prime-time Ligue 1 TV.
His injury record means he hasn't developed as many hoped, but this was a sign of what he is capable of.
Loser: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Who Struggled All Game (despite Scoring)
4 of 5
Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have scored the winning goal, but it's not enough to lift him out of the loser's column. His questionable showing at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday evening wasn't the first of the season either.
In the second half Marco Verratti played him through on goal only for the Swede to fire straight at Stephane Ruffier's legs, and although the converted penalty was, of course, expertly placed, the decision to award it in the first place wasn't a good one.
This was one to forget for Ibra.
Winner: Marco Verratti, Who Impressed in Midfield
5 of 5
Paris Saint-Germain played a very boring first half of football, managing 69 percent possession, per WhoScored.com, but failing to engineer a shot on target. Players such as Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta were rather ineffective, but Marco Verratti acquitted himself superbly.
The Italian playmaker was incisive and positive on the ball, creating most of Les Parisiens' chances. His silky skills on the ball duped many ASSE midfielders into fouls and errors in closing down, opening chances for Edinson Cavani, Matuidi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lucas Moura.
It was a delightful showing.
