International Break Gives New PSG Star Angel Di Maria a Chance to Settle in

Angel Di Maria made a strong start to his Paris Saint-Germain career last weekend, setting up a goal in a 24-minute cameo as PSG won 3-0 at Monaco. The international break immediately followed, and while such an interruption might have unsettled some players following a high-profile transfer, it might have been exactly what Di Maria needed at precisely the right time.

Di Maria, a 27-year-old winger, joined PSG last month in a €63 million deal (h/t ESPN FC), just one year after signing for Manchester United. The Argentina international missed his new club's first three Ligue 1 fixtures while working his way back to full fitness following an injury he picked up during the 2015 Copa America final.

His first appearance went well. After entering the match against Monaco in the 66th minute, Di Maria set up PSG's third and final goal with an outstanding pass. Taking possession in his own half, the Argentine dribbled inside from the right and picked out Ezequiel Lavezzi's run with a brilliant, lofted pass over the top of Monaco's defense. Lavezzi finished emphatically to round out a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Di Maria had also created a chance for Edinson Cavani moments after entering the game, and as B/R's Andrew Gibney noted, the cameo highlighted the prodigious talents of PSG's new signing:

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In just two moments of magic, Di Maria showed the superb range of passing and vision that will add a whole new dimension to the PSG attack this season.

Moura had drifted in and out of the game on Sunday and will now find his position under serious threat from the Argentinian signing. It was only two brief moments of quality, but it was more than enough to get a glimpse of what (Di Maria) will be capable of in Laurent Blanc’s team.

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The future, of course, is what's so exciting for PSG. Di Maria is undoubtedly a tremendous player. Fit and in form, he ranks among the world's elite at his position. If used properly, he will pay back PSG's investment with goals, assists and excellent all-around attacking play.

And that last part is key. Di Maria's lone season in England turned out poorly, partly because of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's use of the player. Over the course of the campaign, Di Maria featured on both wings, in central midfield and as center-forward. All the while he was trying to adapt to a new country and a new league, so it's no surprise that Di Maria failed to produce his best football while shuttling around United's formation.

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"Van Gaal has his philosophy, and one of the things that made me want to leave is that," Di Maria told ESPN Radio Argentina (h/t Rik Sharma of the Daily Mail). "It is difficult to adapt to Van Gaal. I had a couple of rows with him."

Di Maria added: "I started well and after that I got injured. Things didn't go well for me and Van Gaal changed my position. I spoke with (PSG manager Laurent) Blanc and his thinking was that I'd play in a similar position to where I did at Real Madrid."

All of this underlines the importance of Di Maria's first weeks and months at PSG. And this is where the international break comes into focus.

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Di Maria played well in his first PSG appearance, but he is still recovering full match fitness and adapting to a new league and country. After having an unpleasant experience at Manchester United, the Argentine needed to feel at home with his new club, and coach Laurent Blanc has obliged, allowing Di Maria to stay with the club during the international break.

Thus instead of traveling across the world and back, Di Maria has been able to settle in with his new club and continue to work on his fitness. That's a positive for both player and club, and it can only bode well for the future prospects of both.

One good substitute's appearance doesn't mean Di Maria has succeeded in Paris, but it does give him a good foundation on which to build. When PSG resume their Ligue 1 campaign next weekend against Bordeaux, Di Maria should be ready to make another strong impression.