PSG vs. Angers: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1 Game
Paris Saint-Germain produced a clinical performance on Saturday afternoon to thump Angers SCO 5-1 in Ligue 1 at Parc des Princes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic set the hosts on their way after 32 minutes, before Lucas Moura doubled the French champions’ advantage eight minutes later.
Gregory van der Wiel put Laurent Blanc’s men 3-0 up nine minutes into the second half, before Pierrick Capelle pulled one back for Angers on the hour mark.
Le SCO were unable to keep PSG at bay, though, and Angel Di Maria needed just four minutes to spectacularly restore Les Parisiens’ three-goal cushion.
The Argentina international completed the scoring just three minutes later, and from there, the runaway Ligue 1 leaders saw out the match.
Blanc revealed his delight at the performance to PSG's official website after the final whistle in the French capital.
"We did a very good job in the first half and that wore down this Angers side. Above all, we opened the scoring early and that is crucial in this type of match. We scored some great goals tonight. Greg finished off an excellent team move. Angel also scored two magnificent goals. But all goals are beautiful and I want to congratulate the players.
"
Here are some winners and losers from PSG’s 5-1 win over Angers.
Winner: Angel Di Maria
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The undoubted star of the show in PSG’s convincing win over Angers on Saturday was Angel Di Maria.
The Argentina international scored twice to take his Ligue 1 totals to seven goals and nine assists, while he also played key roles in Lucas Moura's and Gregory van der Wiel’s efforts, with an ingenious flick and an intelligent pass.
Di Maria’s first goal was a stunning volley from the edge of the box after Lucas had managed to locate him and his second was an impudent chip after Blaise Matuidi’s scooped pass.
El Fideo continues to impress at Parc des Princes, and the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man has already become a key influence on Laurent Blanc’s side.
Loser: Edinson Cavani
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On the substitutes' bench for the third time since the start of 2016, it became even clearer in the 5-1 demolition of Angers that Edinson Cavani has lost his grip on a starting role in Paris.
Sent on after 70 minutes in place of Angel Di Maria, the hosts’ job was already done by that point, and there was little the Uruguay international could do.
Cavani did get one late opportunity when Lucas Moura played in a low cross from the left, but El Matador could only shoot straight at Alexandre Letellier.
The 28-year-old saw the team win again without him, and they did so in style against a largely defensive Angers outfit.
Laurent Blanc benching Cavani is something we could see more and more of between now and the end of the season.
Winner: Lucas Moura
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While Edinson Cavani was only able to watch on from the bench at Parc des Princes, Lucas Moura provided the latest evidence that justifies Laurent Blanc’s recent decision to make him a regular member of the starting XI.
The Brazil international notched a goal and an assist—for Di Maria’s stunning volleyed lob—in the latest of a line of consistent performances, which vindicate Le President’s decision to combine Lucas with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Angel Di Maria in attack at the expense of Cavani.
Loser: Stephane Moulin
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Back in early December, Angers held PSG to a goalless draw at Stade Jean-Bouin. So far this season, that is the only occasion the capital club have been unable to score in Ligue 1.
That evening, Les Parisiens were unable to break down Le SCO’s resolute defence—despite Di Maria’s best efforts. However, a repeat performance in Paris was always going to be a tough task.
Angers coach Stephane Moulin set his team up to frustrate PSG once again, but after goals from Ibrahimovic and Lucas, the visitors needed a change of approach. The 48-year-old’s tactical limits—or perhaps his players' limits—were exposed at Parc des Princes on Saturday.
Winner: Blaise Matudi
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After a succession of below-par performances, Blaise Matuidi produced the perfect riposte to some recent suggestions that his place in Laurent Blanc’s starting XI should be under threat.
The France international racked up a hat-trick of assists, including a superb lofted cross into the path of Gregory van der Wiel to make it 3-0 as part of a stunning team goal.
Loser: Romain Saiss
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It was a disappointing day for Angers in Paris, not least for Romain Saiss. The 25-year-old midfielder is one of the most influential members of Stephane Moulin’s side, but Saiss, Cheikh N’Doye and consolation scorer Capelle could not combine to nullify the threats PSG posed.
A 38th-minute yellow card for a foul on star man Di Maria compounded Saiss’ disappointing afternoon in the capital.
