PSG vs. Monaco: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1
"Keep on winning" was the message from Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc to his players before Sunday night’s 2-0 defeat to second-place Monaco at the Parc des Princes.
Although they threw everything at the away side in the first half, complacency cost them dearly, losing 2-0 to Leonardo Jardim’s hard-working, well-disciplined side.
"Every league match will serve as preparation,” Blanc told the press before Sunday’s game.
"We have a Coupe de la Ligue final to prepare, a Coupe de France semi-final and a Champions League quarter-final and the best way to get ready for these matches is by playing. Opposition sides can think what they like, but we will be doing our best. Even if we have already won the title, we want to keep on winning.
"
The former France boss will be fuming with the way his side played in the second half of Sunday’s clash. They looked flat and failed to push on from an electric first 45 minutes.
Monaco defended superbly to keep the game goalless and then hit quickly to take a 2-0 lead, first through Vagner Love and then Fabinho’s penalty.
PSG missed a whole host of chances and will hope that it was just an off night. Per football freelance writer Robin Bainer, the lost was PSG's first in a long time, per a couple of variables:
"FULL-TIME: #PSG 0-2 #Monaco. First home Ligue 1 defeat for PSG since May 14. First defeat at home to nil in L1 since a 1-0 v Nancy in 2011!
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) March 20, 2016"
The unexpected win takes ASM five points clear of Nice in third, giving them a little breathing space in the second automatic Champions League place.
Here are the winners and losers from Monaco’s 2-0 win over PSG.
WINNER: Thomas Lemar: Monaco
1 of 5
Playing without the ball for large periods of the game, it was always going to be a night of patience for Monaco’s front line.
Whenever Thomas Lemar got the ball, he showed his ability and threatened to create. It paid off after 65 minutes when he was put clear down the left by Elderson, and he superbly picked out Vagner Love at the back post to give Monaco the lead.
LOSER: David Luiz: PSG
2 of 5
It is always said the problem with David Luiz is the Brazilian always has a mistake in him. On Sunday it was huge. The former Chelsea man tried to take the ball past Fabinho in his own box, he gave the ball away and then pulled the full-back down, as noted by French Football Weekly:
"David Luiz being David Luiz. Tries to beat Fabinho in his own box...then brings Fabinho down. Idiot https://t.co/Tj2DLKqKpN
— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) March 20, 2016"
Fabinho got up and chipped the penalty over Kevin Trapp, putting the away side 2-0 up on the night. Another mindless moment from David Luiz and Blanc will hope he has got that out of his system before the Champions League clash with Manchester City.
WINNER: Ricardo Carvalho: Monaco
3 of 5
When you take on the champions, you need to be at your best, and during an inspired 90 minutes, Ricardo Carvalho played a colossus role in Monaco’s back line, keeping the game goalless. FFW highlighted Monaco's impressive defensive effort:
"Look at the defensive effort from Monaco tonight. Absolutely superb #PSGASM pic.twitter.com/bXAn5ur5O9
— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) March 20, 2016"
At half-time the Portuguese defender had made five interceptions, two clearances and one block, keeping the Parisians at bay. He finished the game with five interceptions and five clearances and was helped more by Andrea Raggi's heroic defending—and all-round team effort but the former Chelsea man was crucial at the heart of the defence.
LOSER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic—PSG
4 of 5
It’s always hard to follow up a performance when you score four goals in the second half, but the Swede will be disappointed with his contribution on Sunday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was denied a clear goal when he was incorrectly flagged offside in the opening minutes; after that, nothing quite went his way.
Defenders were in the way when he made contact; then other times he scuffed his lines. It was a night to forget for Ligue 1’s top scorer.
WINNER: Leonardo Jardim—Monaco
5 of 5
Portuguese coach Leonard Jardim went with a back five to stifle the PSG attack, and it worked.
His players followed his instructions implicitly, and they put their bodies on the line for the cause.
"He’s been telling us to keep working hard in every department," Elderson told the official Monaco website before the game when asked about Jardim’s preparation. "We’re better on the pitch, but there’s still a little something missing. It’s up to us to work even harder to achieve our objective."
There is no doubt the Monegasque club gave 100 percent on Sunday night and deserved all three points.
