Breaking Down Edinson Cavani's Performance for PSG vs. Toulouse

Paris Saint-Germain moved provisionally top of Ligue 1 on Saturday with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Toulouse at the Parc des Princes.

It may just be until Lyon takes on Nantes on Sunday, but three points were necessary for the capital side if they were to put pressure on their title challengers.

Laurent Blanc started with the same three forwards that played against Chelsea last Tuesday, but with injuries depleting the squad, and some key players missing, it was a changed midfield that stole the plaudits and inspired PSG to victory.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided the assist for Adrien Rabiot's stunning first-half opener and Ezequiel Lavezzi provided direct running, pace and energy down the flanks. However, it was a frustrating and mostly empty afternoon for Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.

"

Bahebeck has done more in 14 min than Cavani and Ibra have in 80 min.

— Coco ⚽️ (@LanaDawood) February 21, 2015"

Cavani sympathisers are usually quick to point out that his disappointing performances are due to his position stuck out on the wing, but it couldn't be further from the truth.

After just 70 seconds of the match, Cavani was taking up the central berth while Ibrahimovic dropped wide. Often through the first-half, the 28-year-old spent large portions of the game through the middle.

During the first half, the majority of his time on the ball was taken up with basic link up passes, just keeping the ball moving and doing to the simple things.

His first moment worth mentioning came at around the 30th minute when the Uruguayan picked up the ball wide left, he looked up and swung in a beautiful right-foot cross towards the back post. Lavezzi was very close to getting on the end of it, but he was about half a yard away.

Just before half-time, Cavani made his mark when he caught Uros Spajic with an elbow while going for a header.

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We're into injury time. Cavani asking why the ref has panalised him. "Mais pourquoi??" Perhaps because Spajic is bleeding, Ed. Yellow card.

— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) February 21, 2015"

The second period was similar to the first and Cavani played mostly on the fringes, with one or two moments that could have seen him play a bigger role in the result.

The closest he came to scoring was in the 57th minute. Ibrahimovic chased a loose ball out wide on the right; he looked up and whipped in a vicious ball to the near post. Cavani flashed in front of his man and got the faintest of touches to the ball. It was very similar to his chance against Chelsea when he almost caught Thibaut Courtois cold at his near post.

"

Chance PSG! Cavani gets on end of Ibrahimovic cross from the right, but can only head narrowly wide. #PSGTFC

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) February 21, 2015"

This time, Cavani couldn’t steer it on target and the chance glided wide of the far post.

Cavani was nearly involved in the third goal. Jean-Christophe Bahebeck delivered a superb free-kick, and the striker was inches away from making contact. He didn’t, though, and captain Thiago Silva got his head to the ball and guided it past Ali Ahamada.

WhoScored

Saturday’s game was definitely not one to remember for Cavani. He wasn’t the worst player on the pitch by any means, but he failed to make any telling impact, which is difficult for a striker when you only make eight touches in the final third.

The Uruguayan brought his usual industry and hard work. When in defence he never fails to track back and put in an impressive shift, the only problem he has had recently is to play with the same drive and determination going forward. There is only so much praise you can give to a striker that cost €60 million for his defensive prowess; goals are what he was bought for and Saturday came and went with Cavani going away empty-handed.

Compared to last weekend’s 2-2 draw and Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Saturday was a comfortable victory for PSG. Rabiot and Pastore stole the show for the home side, with Ibrahimovic’s back-heel for the opener the biggest contribution the front line made to the entire game.

This was a game for the midfield to impress, which was vital with all the players PSG were missing.

Cavani has only scored one goal in the last eight league games he has played. Without the header against Chelsea it would be described as a drought. Both he and Blanc will hope that his hard work pays off eventually and goals in the league return, sooner rather than later.