Maxwell Shows He Still Has Plenty to Offer PSG in Routine Bastia Win

Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 win over SC Bastia at Parc des Princes on Friday night to open up a whopping provisional lead of 22 points at the top of Ligue 1.

It was not a particularly impressive performance from manager Laurent Blanc’s men, but they got the job done thanks to first-half goals from Thiago Motta and Maxwell.

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The first was a scrappy, close-range effort from the Italian that could quite easily have passed for a Thiago Silva goal, but the second was a stunning volleyed finish from the Brazilian left-back.

Angel Di Maria, who also played an important role in Motta’s opener by providing the corner for Silva’s header, lifted the ball over the Bastia defence towards Maxwell, and a touch from Florian Marange teed it up perfectly for the 34-year-old to execute a superb angled volley.

Speaking after the final whistle to PSG’s official website, Maxwell revealed his delight at his goal but also admitted that a large element of fortune was involved.

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It was very important to make a good start to the second half of the season. We have to get back into the rhythm and we're very happy with the win. We are continuing on our merry way. My goal? I wasn't thinking anything... that that might be why I scored! I saw there was nobody in the box so I decided to shoot. It was a nice goal, but a little bit lucky!

"

Maxwell’s first goal of the season in any competition was no less than what the veteran has deserved for his consistent performances throughout the campaign so far. His display against Bastia was impressive marauding up and down the left against the Corsicans as if he was 10 years younger.

Into his fifth term as a PSG player, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan, AFC Ajax and Cruzeiro man is showing no signs of slowing down. Like his good friend and PSG teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the South American is like a fine wine and is only getting better with age.

Maxwell brings plenty of experience to Blanc’s squad and adds balance to the defence as he is less attack-minded than the likes of current competitor Layvin Kurzawa but more adept going forward than previous rival Lucas Digne.

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As part of a largely Brazilian back line, the evergreen samba star has helped to form one of the strongest defensive units in Europe, and his dependability is one of many important reasons for its success.

Since arriving in Paris back in the January 2012 transfer window, Maxwell has produced unerringly consistent performances across all competitions, and he is still doing that.

Outstanding against Bastia, he has also excelled against the likes of Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League as well this season.

Digne understandably grew frustrated at being unable to usurp the Brazilian during his time at PSG, but the old stager was simply too reliable for Blanc to remove from the starting XI.

Kurzawa, although not yet at the same point of frustration that Digne reached, is similarly seeing his path to a starting role blocked by his more senior competitor.

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Maxwell is expected to leave PSG at the end of the campaign when his contract runs out, but on the sort of form witnessed against Bastia, it would be understandable if Les Parisiens are tempted to see if they can persuade him to stay on for one more term.

If they decide to do that, the chances are that Maxwell will still be a regular starter at Parc des Princes and still as reliable as ever.