Ranking Paris Saint-Germain's Top 4 Players for January 2016
January has been a success for Paris Saint-Germain. They may have started the new year fairly slowly, but by the end of it they were firing on all cylinders and equaling records in the process.
"32 - Paris are unbeaten in their last 32 league games (W29, D3), matching the longest ever run in Ligue 1 (Nantes in April 1995). King.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) January 31, 2016"
The month started with the 1-0 victory over fifth-division side ES Wasquehal in the Coupe de France. League wins against Bastia, Toulouse and Angers followed, and on the last day of the month, the Parisians kept their 100 percent league record with a 2-0 away win over Saint-Etienne.
Bizarrely, PSG actually played Toulouse three times in January, beating them in all three games, advancing again in the Coupe de France and beating Le Tefece 2-1 last Wednesday to qualify for the Coupe de la Ligue final—they will face Lille in April's final.
PSG scored 17 goals over their eight games this month, conceding only three—an even more impressive statistic as it was done without Thiago Silva through a number of games.
Here are PSG’s top four players for January 2016.
4. Serge Aurier
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As this year has developed, PSG’s play down the right side has been breathtaking to watch. Taking advantage of Angel Di Maria’s movement and creativity, Serge Aurier has used the space to bomb down the flank and become another dangerous option in the Parisians' attack.
Aurier set up the opener against Saint-Etienne and was excellent throughout. His other impressive performances during the month solidified his place as PSG’s first-choice right-back.
3. Adrien Rabiot
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While Marco Verratti has tried to get back to full fitness, young Adrien Rabiot has grabbed his opportunity in the PSG first team.
The 20-year-old midfielder was excellent against Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue, scoring the opener, then it was his beautiful left-foot ball over the top of the Toulouse defence that set Ezequiel Lavezzi up for the first goal in PSG’s 2-0 win that secured their place in the Coupe de la Ligue final.
January’s transfer window closed with Rabiot remaining in the French capital, and now he can spend the rest of the season continuing to progress.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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The Swedish talisman kicked off the month by scoring the winning goal against Wasquehal in the Coupe de France—and he didn’t stop there.
He was the scourge of Toulouse, scoring the winner in the 1-0 league win, then the vital goal as PSG beat Le Tefece 2-1 in the Coupe de France. In the 5-1 win over Angers, it was Zlatan that opened the floodgates, then he capped off a wonderful month by scoring twice against Saint-Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
That made it 14 goals against Les Verts since he arrived in France, and it took his tally to six for the month and 19 league goals for the season—the same number he managed through the whole campaign last year.
1. Angel Di Maria
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January saw Angel Di Maria’s performances jump to another level. It’s not just the goals, though. His assists have been inspired, and his overall play has lifted PSG.
Amazing goals against Toulouse in the Coupe de la Ligue and Angers have captured the imagination of the Parc des Princes faithful. He benefited from some luck against Saint-Etienne, as his poorly kicked shot found its way to Ibrahimovic at the back post. But in football, you make your own luck.
Playing on the right side of the PSG attack, it’s Di Maria’s ability to come inside and create opportunities through the centre that makes him so dangerous. He won’t hug the touchline, but he will seek out and find space to hurt his opponents.
Others may grab the headlines, but it’s the all-round play of Di Maria that deserves all the plaudits.
