Blaise Matuidi Is the Key to Paris Saint-Germain Success in April

On Sunday night, Paris Saint-Germain, inspired by Blaise Matuidi, came back from 2-1 down in the Stade Velodrome to beat rivals and title challengers Olympique de Marseille, 3-2, in Le Classique.

The France international midfielder was outstanding for the Ligue 1 champions. His superb right-foot strike gave PSG a foothold in the game during the first half, and then his tireless running and boundless energy helped Laurent Blanc’s side pick up the tempo in the second half as they secured the victory.

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Matuidi scored a pretty tasty goal for PSG against Marseille last night: https://t.co/FcUi9GGO7G

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 6, 2015"

The Parisian side face a very tough month in April, with injuries and suspensions playing havoc during what is an abnormally busy schedule. If they are to enjoy any success in the coming weeks, they are going to need some more herculean performances from Matuidi, as he drives his team through four competitions.

Both Thiago Motta and David Luiz picked up what looked like hamstring problems during Sunday’s win. Injury to either would be manageable, but losing Luiz takes away the chance for Blanc to play the Brazilian in the holding midfield role—as he did so superbly in the first-leg draw with Chelsea in the Champions League.

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#Blanc confirms injuries for David Luiz & Thiago Motta: "It's truly the negative point of the evening." Must be doubts for Barca. #PSG

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) April 5, 2015"

Another midfield option would have been Yohan Cabaye, but he suffered another injury against Bordeaux in Week 30, and it’s unclear how long he will be out for.

Adrien Rabiot did well when he came on against Marseille, but with four competitions up for grabs, he will be stretched to full capacity, placing more impetus on leaders like Matuidi.

One of PSG’s biggest on-field presences is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and although he was mostly sub-par on Sunday, he was still there for his team—even absent of a performance, he is still a leader of that squad. The Swedish striker will find out on Thursday what his punishment is for the foul-mouthed tirade toward the linesman after the Bordeaux defeat.

The general thought is a three or four game ban will be sanctioned, leaving him out of the majority of the run-in, as well as the first leg of the Champions League clash against Barcelona.

They will look towards Zlatan to step up against Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France and Bastia in Sunday’s Coupe de la Ligue final before his suspension starts. However, once Ibrahimovic is out, and we know the extent of the injuries to Luiz and Motta, the weight of expectation will fall on the shoulders of local boy Matuidi.

Although hundreds of millions of pounds has been spent on this talented squad, it is interesting that one of the last pre-Qatar Sports Investment signings should harbour such responsibility, but it says more about how excellent a player he has become that the expectation falls to him.

Thiago Silva will remain as captain, and he will also have a huge part to play, but he can’t influence the game in the same way that Matuidi can, and ultimately will, from his position in the centre of the defence.

After a tough summer with the World Cup interrupting his pre-season, Matuidi—like a true thoroughbred horse—has blossomed and improved as the season has progressed. His dynamic with Marco Verratti in midfield is undoubtedly the future of the PSG midfield, and both have been excellent in recent weeks.

"

Exactly RT @mattspiro: Blaise Matuidi is a freak of a footballer. He was absolutely everywhere tonight

— Lindsay Krasnoff (@lempika7) April 5, 2015"

If they can continue to combine with great effect, and Verratti’s passing, vision and tenacious attitude can help give Matuidi the freedom and platform to attack and push forward, then there is nothing to stop the side from the capital capturing a domestic treble—then, perhaps, causing Barcelona some issues in the Champions League.

He may not have been one of the marquee signings at the club, but Matuidi is the perfect example of what can happen if you sign the right player at the right time and let him grow. Now the future of this season rests firmly of his shoulders—but there is absolutely no doubt that he is the perfect man to carry this team to glory.