PSG vs. Malmo: Winners and Losers from Champions League Game

Group A minnows Malmo FF travelled to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday—with the Swedish club taking on their favourite son, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in the opening night of Champions League fixtures.

Predictably Paris Saint-Germain picked up all three points with a comfortable 2-0 victory—but the away side will be happy to leave France with their goal difference not as damaged as it could have been.

Malmo’s form in the Allsvenskan had been far from impressive, held to a draw at home to Elfsborg before travelling to the French capital. However, they showed against Scottish champions Celtic that they can play with the right attitude to take on Europe’s best.

On Monday, PSG coach Laurent Blanc, via UEFA.com, called for a professional performance, regardless of the opponent and the expectation they would win:

"

Tomorrow we'll be facing Malmö, a quality team, and we need to prepare for every match the same way, no matter who our opponents are. I think we can expect a difficult game, judging by what I've seen of them.

"

Through Angel Di Maria’s early goal and a second-half header from Edinson Cavani, Blanc was given the start he was hoping for.

Here are the winners and losers from PSG’s 2-0 win over Malmo.

Winner: Angel Di Maria

Xavier Laine/Getty Images

Playing for Manchester United last season, Angel Di Maria missed out on playing in the Champions League, but it took the Argentine just four minutes to mark his return.

A lovely pass from Marco Verratti released his team mate down the right, the Malmo defence failed to close Di Maria down and the 27-year-old shaped the ball on to his left foot before placing it beyond Johan Wiland.

He would go off late in the second half to a standing ovation, heavily involved in everything PSG created. It is the start both he and the club would have hoped for.

Loser: Age Hareide

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Against Celtic, Malmo coach Age Hareide played 4-4-2 in both legs. In Glasgow, the Swedish side went 2-0 down after 10 minutes and only Celtic’s own procrastination held them back and let Malmo back into the tie.

Two second-half goals from Jo Inge Berget gave them hope and their home advantage saw them through.

On Tuesday, Hareide changed it up and went for 3-4-1-2 in Paris. Yoshimar Yotun endured a tough first half and was tormented down Malmo’s left flank.

PSG’s 20 shots tell the story of a difficult night for Hareide’s side, but the Norwegian coach will wonder whether he would have been better sticking to 4-4-2.

He changed to a back four in the second half and his side looked more comfortable. Food for thought for the rest of the group stage.

He will be very grateful to goalkeeper Wiland. The 34-year-old veteran, despite the result, was superb, making eight saves. Malmo’s shot stopper, plus lessons learned from this game, could give them a chance of finishing third in the group.

Loser: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Francois Mori/Associated Press

After a bright pre-season, it has not been the ideal start to the competitive season that Ibrahimovic would have hoped for.

The Swede has missed four out of PSG’s five league games, only playing in the 3-0 away win over Monaco before the international break.

Coming up against the club where it all started for the talisman was always going to be a huge occasion and apart from the flick for Cavani’s goal, it was a disappointing night.

Ibrahimovic looked determined to score against his old club, and all too often it was detrimental to the team’s performance.

He was in no way the worst player on the night, but Blanc will hope the 34-year-old has much more to offer in the coming weeks.

Winner: Oscar Lewicki

THOMAS SAMSON/Getty Images

Lewicki fights for the ball.

The Swedish midfield has enjoyed a purple patch against French sides of late. Two goals against the France under-21 side helped Sweden qualify for the 2015 European Championships in the Czech Republic.

On Tuesday night, his performance was crucial in stopping PSG from dominating more than they already did.

Lewicki’s willingness to track and cover in the middle of the park helped keep Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti fairly quiet—he will be one to watch in this group stage.