PSG vs. Caen: Breaking Down Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Performance in Ligue 1 Game

If Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s performances had come under question in recent weeks, his early display against Caen on Saturday set out to silence his critics. However, a late comeback from the away side would overshadow the Swede—no easy task—but the positives from his game set up Tuesday’s mouth-watering clash with Chelsea in the Champions League.

From the moment the game kicked off, Ibrahimovic looked like he was more in the mood to get involved, rather than just play on the fringes like he had against Lyon and Rennes.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

After just two minutes, in what was a truly Zlatan-esque finish—ignore the high feet, everyone else seemed to—he put the home side in front.

Yohan Cabaye released Serge Aurier with a sublime pass down the right flank, and the Ivorian played in an almost perfect cross for the Swedish striker. Most players would have probably tried to get their head on it, but Zlatan was in no mood for the conventional.

It was part karate, part yoga, but his outstretched foot stabbed the ball past Remy Vercoutre.

The striker got mad when a reporter had forgotten about his penalty against Saint-Etienne, but who can blame him? It was instantly forgettable. He scored another against Lyon, and despite the skill and nerve involved in scoring from the spot, no one comes to watch Ibrahimovic take penalties.

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Zlatan's passes v Lyon last week via @StatsZone #psg pic.twitter.com/dtP1OIyK51

— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) February 14, 2015"

Just moments after giving his side the lead, he used his almost telepathic understanding with left-back Maxwell and was inches from putting the chance on a plate. Alaeddine Yahia got across just in time to cut out the danger.

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Zlatan's passes v Caen. Look at the difference when he's in the mood via @StatsZone #PSG pic.twitter.com/X2xEelyXQQ

— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) February 14, 2015"

It was already the most he had been involved in weeks, and there were only five minutes on the clock.

From an attacking aspect, it was his best performance for weeks, perhaps since he scored both goals in the 2-1 comeback win over Nantes at the start of December.

He had a small part to play in the second goal too. Thiago Silva played the ball into his feet and Zlatan’s deft flick sent Lucas Moura on his way. The Brazilian raced forward before releasing Ezequiel Lavezzi, and the Argentinian winger’s shot found the bottom corner.

Once again, Paris Saint-Germain were 2-0 up and comfortably in control. However, it would not stay that way in the second half.

With injuries to Cabaye and Marquinhos, Laurent Blanc had already used two of his substitutes at half-time. The PSG coach then brought Blaise Matuidi off for Gregory van der Wiel with 67 minutes on the clock, and the game turned against the Ligue 1 champions.

Just moments after the third and final change, Serge Aurier was hurt while making a routine pass out wide and had to come off. It would leave Blanc’s side a man short for 20 minutes. Ten minutes later, Lucas couldn’t continue, meaning PSG had to end the game with nine men.

In the last few minutes, Caen put PSG under pressure, but even with nine men, the side from the capital should still have had enough to close out the victory.

Caen’s first goal came from a simple ball to the back post. Ibrahimovic had lost his man and Maxwell was outnumbered. The ball fell to the onrushing Emiliano Sala, and the Argentinian scored his first goal for his new club in the 89th minute.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

As crucial as Ibrahimovic was in the opening minutes, he would play a huge part at the game's end. Tracking back to help his defence, the Swede fouled Nicolas Benezet on the edge of the box, and it proved to be crucial.

Everyone thought that Julien Feret would curl the free-kick with his right-foot, but Herve Bazile stepped up and fired the left-foot effort over the wall and past Salvatore Sirigu.

After the game, Ibrahimovic was shocked and couldn’t think of another time when something like that had ever happened to him before.

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Ibrahimovic on PSG's quite bizarre afternoon, lettng slip 2 goals late on + inj: "It has never happened to me before. I've never seen that"

— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) February 14, 2015"

Next up is Tuesday’s clash with Chelsea. With Lucas out, the pressure falls on Edinson Cavani to play like a €60 million striker. He will have to find a way to combine with Zlatan if the Parisians are to find success in the Champions League.

Last season, PSG had to play the majority of the two legs without their Swedish talisman. After getting injured in the first game, he missed the second at Stamford Bridge. Forgetting the drama of Saturday’s second half, Ibrahimovic looked closer to his old self, and he will need to continue that form midweek.

Last season, the Ibrahimovic who scored four against Anderlecht couldn’t be touched. In that sort of form he could single-handedly inspire PSG to the quarter-finals, but it would need two performances better than against Caen.

Maybe Caen have done the Parisians a favour; PSG are now a wounded animal, hurt after throwing away two vital points. Chelsea may have to deal with the backlash.