PSG vs. Montpellier: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1 Game
Paris Saint-Germain came through their 0-0 draw at home to Montpellier HSC at Parc des Princes on Saturday unscathed, and the Ligue 1 leaders will face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg next week with no new injury concerns.
The point earned Laurent Blanc’s men earned at home might not look great on paper, but it keeps the capital club’s lead over second-placed AS Monaco at 23 points after Les Monegasques’ 2-2 draw away at SM Caen on Friday.
Even though PSG did not create that many chances, they still enjoyed enough openings to win the game. Edinson Cavani hit the crossbar, while Angel Di Maria and his teammates found Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier in inspired form.
Blanc was satisfied with his players' work when speaking with the capital club's official website, despite failing to win for the second time in three matches across all competitions:
"Despite the score, there are positives tonight. The match went as we'd planned, we rested players and made changes when we'd planned. The squad responded well and we can be happy not to have any new injuries ahead of the Chelsea match. We still needed to put out a competitive side, even if there were a lot of young players out on the pitch.
Montpellier came looking to play and they got their point. Good for them. On Sunday, we turn our attentions to the Chelsea match. Everyone is waiting for that game. We will do what we can to prepare for a big game on Wednesday.
"
Here are some winners and losers from Les Parisiens’ drab 0-0 draw at home to Montpellier.
Winner: Laurent Blanc
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Before the match, if you had told Blanc the final score would be 0-0, but no new injuries would be suffered pre-Chelsea, then Le President would no doubt have taken it.
Although the goalless tie with Montpellier means PSG have only won one of their last three games across all competitions, Blanc was able to do what he wanted with his team, including rest the majority of his key players for next week’s clash with Chelsea.
Loser: Edinson Cavani
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Once again given the chance to impress through the middle without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Uruguay international failed to take his opportunity and passed up some good chances during the match.
El Matador struck the crossbar early on and then wasted a few other good openings in the Montpellier box as PSG were unsuccessful in their search for the breakthrough goal.
Winner: Laurent Pionnier
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Although PSG were not at their best going forward, despite boasting a front three of Di Maria, Cavani and Lucas Moura, they still had chances to score.
Montpellier goalkeeper Pionnier was a key reason why Les Parisiens were unable to find the back of the net at Parc des Princes.
The 33-year-old made a number of smart saves and was alert all match, particularly when Di Maria was haring through on goal in the first half and the veteran shot-stopper was required to charge out of his goal to dispossess the Argentina international.
Loser: Benjamin Stambouli
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Up against his formative club, Saturday should have been a chance for Benjamin Stambouli to show his old side how much progress he has made since leaving Stade de la Mosson back in 2014.
Instead, the Frenchman illustrated how much his career has stalled since he moved to Tottenham Hotspur and then PSG.
Stambouli’s performance was well below the high standard he set while with La Paillade, and his former teammates and coaching staff were no doubt saddened by his regression.
Winner: Presnel Kimpembe
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Blanc’s heavy rotation of his squad against Montpellier saw defender Presnel Kimpembe and midfielder Christopher Nkunku handed rare starts.
Although it was not a classic encounter and few PSG players emerged with any real credit, Kimpembe deserves recognition for his solid display at the back alongside Marquinhos.
Although captain Maxwell was also impressive, the 20-year-old youth academy graduate merited praise for one of his best showings this season.
Loser: Javier Pastore
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Depending on the fitness of Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi for the Chelsea game next week, Javier Pastore could still turn out to be a winner in this situation.
However, the Argentina international was a loser on the day against Montpellier because Blanc’s uncertainty over Verratti and Matuidi undoubtedly denied the South American a starting role.
Kept on the bench until the 60th minute, when he replaced Nkunku, Pastore struggled when he came on and demonstrated why he needed to start against Frederic Hantz’s men with a clear lack of match fitness.
El Flaco might not be a bad replacement for Verratti or Matuidi on paper next Wednesday, but the 26-year-old will not offer as much as he could at full fitness in his current state.
