Javier Pastore Injury Dampens Paris Saint-Germain Away Win at Montpellier

Just nine minutes into Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 win over Montpellier HSC at the Stade de la Mosson on Friday, Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore had to be replaced by Adrien Rabiot.

The hope will be that the calf injury is nothing too serious as the playmaker, no matter what position he takes up in the PSG XI, looks like the man to provide creativity and a different dimension in the final third.

"

Early injury blow for #PSG, who see Javier #Pastore limp off with 9 minutes on the clock. The more defensive #Rabiot coming on.

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 21, 2015"

Blaise Matuidi’s 61st-minute strike was enough to separate the two sides, but it was far from a convincing performance. Montpellier only forced goalkeeper Kevin Trapp into one excellent save, and overall they were flat, unimaginative and unable to combine for any effect in the final third.

Speaking to Ligue1.com after the match, Laurent Blanc said: 

"

It's always easy to say that we didn't push it.

Our victory wasn't easy, it was perhaps the most difficult yet. The state of the pitch and the heat made life difficult for both sides. In spite of that, we remained solid defensively. There are a lot of things that need looking at, but we're trying to find top form.

"

Blanc started the game playing 4-3-3 with Pastore playing in the midfield three beside Matuidi and Thiago Motta. Edinson Cavani led the line with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas Moura either side of the Uruguayan forward.

FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/Getty Images

Playing Pastore there, rather than in the attacking three, is a precursor for when new signing Angel Di Maria is match fit and is able to take up his position on the left flank. Although he wasn’t on the pitch long, it was clear to see that Pastore is the player who adds something different to the midfield.

Able to break between the lines, the former Palermo player drops a shoulder and beats his man thus committing more defenders, bringing players out of position and forcing the opposition to make a decision. That opens space for his team-mates and will always create more chances in no matter what formation PSG play.

"

HT: Montpellier 0-0 PSG. Poor game so far. Champions already struggling without Verratti are lost without Pastore. Hosts wasteful. #MHSCPSG

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

"We should have kept the ball better," continued Blanc. "We weren't clinical enough up front. We manage to bring the ball out well thanks to Trapp, whose play with the ball at his feet is essential for us, but we need to translate that into penetration. That's what our forwards lacked this evening."

Matuidi, Motta and substitute Rabiot are all very good midfielders, talented at what they do, but they are all rather functional.

For his goal, both this week and last weekend against Gazelec Ajaccio, Matuidi made a superb run from midfield and found an excellent finish with his left foot. The France international, with his well-timed runs from deep, has made himself indispensable for PSG over the past three seasons.

Without Marco Verratti through injury on Friday night, Motta was the deepest of the three, protecting the defence and always in a position to make himself available. Rabiot combines both roles, playing somewhat of a hybrid.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

In the three-man midfield, Pastore adds that creativity and spark that Blanc admitted was missing against Montpellier. The 26-year-old is the man best placed to find the runs of Matuidi, Rabiot and whoever is playing in the front three.

When Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes back into the lineup, they will also lose the speed and directness of Lucas, Lavezzi and eventually Di Maria accentuating the importance of the role that Pastore has to play this season for Paris Saint-Germain.