Paris Saint-Germain are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout phases of the Champions League while Montpellier Herault should say adieu to the competition prematurely
A tale of two cities
Between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier Herault is a tale of two cities with contrasting lucks. Last season, Montpellier Herault were the most fashionable side in France as they went on to lift their first Ligue 1 Championelle, much to the displeasure
of Paris Saint-Germain.
However, this season has been a different story altogether with La Paillade struggling both in the league and in the Champions League, a competition which players and fans waited for so anxiously throughout the summer.
Since the opening day of the Champions League, Rene Girard’s men have been a pale reflection of the team that captivated everyone’s imagination last season. Paris Saint-Germain on the other hand, are gaining more and more momentum and will now consider themselves
favourites to win their first ever Championelle in over 18 years if they make sure to erase that mistake of conceding an odd defeat every now and then.
Zlatan the saviour?
Since his arrival from AC Milan in the summer, the Swedish striker has been Carlo Ancelotti’s main weapon for Paris Saint-Germain’s quest to become one of the powerhouses of world football. And, the striker has not disappointed at all.
Already, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 man has scored 12 goals in all competition for his new club and is getting more and more used to the new surroundings. Such is Ibrahimovic’s adaptability that the 31-year-old did not see out of place at all when Ancelotti chose
to field him as a proper number 10 in the Champions League encounter against Dinamo Zagreb.
And, the Italian tactician’s risk paid dividends as the Swede set up all four goals for his partners and turned in a man of the match performance against a side that should be looking to seal a place in the Europa League before it’s too late.
Surely, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s form is of immense importance for Paris Saint-Germain if they aspire to spring a surprise in the UCL this season.
Dead and buried
Their first appearance in the Champions League has been a forgettable moment for reigning Ligue 1 champions Montpellier Herault who are rock bottom in their group with just a point to show for their efforts.
Sealing a place in the knockout phases of the competition is no longer a possibility. Against a very average looking Olympiakos side, the champions of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 once again paid a dear price for the shortcomings of some of the players who once again failed
miserably to rise up to the occasion.
A 3-1 defeat against the Greeks means that La Paillade might be left to salvage some pride in their remaining two games of the competition. Although Europa League is not far away from their reach, the way Rene Girard’s players are playing at the moment,
is not an encouraging sign for all those who watched the team do so well last season.
Paris to bear the French flag in Europe
With Montpellier Herault already eliminated and Lille on the verge of following suit, it now lies on Paris Saint-Germain to fly the French flag for the remainder of the competition and go as far as possible. Although PSG are still new to this competition,
Carlo Ancelotti and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence will come good for the capital club that is perhaps the only French team that should be taken seriously by all pre-tournament favourites.
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