How Laurent Blanc Can Get Best out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on PSG Return

On Saturday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain welcomes Zlatan Ibrahimovic back into the starting lineup after his recent two-game suspension. Not only is it important for Laurent Blanc to get his forward back to help with their title challenge, but if the Parisian side are to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, they need the Swedish talisman back to his best.

Ibrahimovic's form has been affected by a recurring heel injury this season, so the games out will have been a welcome rest for the striker. However, he will have to hit the ground running against Lens so that he is able to get some match fitness back before they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

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ZlatBAN. PSG star hit with retrospective punishment and will sit out key games: http://t.co/0EBRVinTlI pic.twitter.com/HTmIjQEiel

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 20, 2015"

Despite some toothless displays upfront by PSG, Blanc will always be reluctant to deviate from his 4-3-3 formation. Even when it looks like they don't need three defensive midfielders—like against Lens this weekend—Blanc won't give his side that extra attacking option.

If Blanc really wants to give his team hope of advancing past Chelsea or defending his Ligue 1 crown, he needs to make a slight tactical change, one that would help get the best out of Ibrahimovic once again.

Last season, according to the official Ligue 1 website, Ibrahimovic finished the season with 11 assists. With only two this campaign, there has to be a reason.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

When you look at who scored the goals Ibrahimovic provided, you begin to see a pattern. Six of those goals were scored by Ezequiel Lavezzi, Blaise Matuidi and Maxwell. It is no coincidence that all three play on the left-hand side of the PSG lineup.

The individual performances from Lavezzi may not have been impressive, but his relationship with Maxwell helped give PSG an edge down the left. Maxwell knew where the Argentinian would run, knew where the space would be to attack and they linked up really well.

Combinations between both players would then help Matuidi make his trademark runs from deep, giving Zlatan another option to find on that side.

This season, to incorporate Lucas Moura in the starting lineup, Blanc has moved Edinson Cavani to the left. Lavezzi's late return from the World Cup and his discipline issues have not helped, but it has caused an imbalance to the PSG attack.

Cavani doesn't make the same runs as Lavezzi, he doesn't have the same direct style as the winger and because he is always looking to take up the central position rather than working the full-back, it doesn't create the same space for Maxwell and Matuidi.

When Ibrahimovic drops deep—which he has done with more regularity this season—he doesn't have the same passing options that he was provided for the majority of last season.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still the third best player in the world. @TheCalcioGuy explains why. http://t.co/pGtCFH9KKX pic.twitter.com/yeyJlyr0cP

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 20, 2015"

There is no denying that, when fit and healthy, Lucas has been one of PSG's best players throughout this campaign, so his form makes it difficult to return to last season's setup. However, Blanc has the option to return Cavani to the right-hand side. The Uruguayan scored 16 goals in his first season from that position, and he could try Lucas on the left, looking to get those same combinations with Maxwell that Lavezzi developed.

It has helped the defence when Blanc has been able to play his Brazilian back four. Perhaps now, teaming the Brazilians down the left can help provide Ibrahimovic with more passing options on that side.

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When was the last time Zlatan showed his quality in a really big game? @willtidey discusses: http://t.co/33mkbNbn3H pic.twitter.com/6Vzy6g3rPk

— Unibet (@unibet) February 18, 2015"

That small tactical change could help get the best out of Matuidi on a more consistent basis and help take the goalscoring burden off Cavani and give PSG the attacking impetus they have been desperately missing all season.

The return of Ibrahimovic on its own will not be enough for PSG to return to the type of attacking football that will see them successful in all four competitions they are still competing for. However, using the same players, but moving where they are situated on the pitch could bring the best out of the Swede and help bring PSG success this season.