Paris Saint-Germain haven’t tasted victory since November 30 and it doesn’t get any easier for the reigning French champions as they welcome Ligue 1 leaders OGC Nice to the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Coming off a disappointing draw against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Montpellier HSC, Les Parisiens are in desperate need of a win. Unai Emery is under fire from the media and supporters for his questionable tactics and mediocre results and the players, Angel Di Maria in particular, are simply not living up to expectations. A profound victory over Nice, who currently sit four points ahead of PSG in the table, would not only quiet the critics but also return some much-needed confidence to the squad.
Nice come into the game in excellent form despite losing Hatem Ben Arfa to PSG this past summer as well as a number of other key players. They’ve lost only one league game all season and while all eyes will be on the charasmatic Mario Balotelli, who has scored six goals in five league appearances this season, it will be Alassane Plea who could cause the most damage. The 23-year-old Frenchman has scored nine goals in 15 league appearances this season and will look to carve up a struggling PSG defense.
Nice have plenty of firepower going forward but its their defense that will cause Paris the most trouble. Les Aiglons have only allowed 10 goals in league play and with the PSG offense struggling, it will come down to whether or not Edinson Cavani can continue his brilliant scoring streak.
Key Players
Edinson Cavani: The Uruguayan receives a fair share of criticism but he’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. He’s single-handedly carried the scoring load for PSG and his movement off the ball has been fantastic to watch all season. It will be up to El Matador and his never-ending energy level to push Paris past Nice and secure a much-needed three points.
Angel Di Maria: The former Manchester United man has been dreadful as of late. It’s been reported that Di Maria is unhappy at the club and given the way he’s loafed around the pitch of late you would have to agree with those reports. For some reason, Emery continues to defend the Argentinian and put him in his starting lineup despite the player being booed every time he touches the ball. Another poor performance against Nice and the calls for Jesé Rodriguez to get more playing time will get louder.
Marquinhos: The young Brazilian was suppose to be the future of the PSG defense but lately he’s looked lost on the pitch. His lack of concentration has cost PSG goals that they shouldn’t be giving up. I expect Marquinhos to bounce back for the simple reason that he’s playing alongside Thiago Silva but his return to form can’t come soon enough.
Starting XI Prediction
4-3-3: Trapp; Kurzawa, Silva, Marquinhos, Aurier; Krychowiak, Ben Arfa, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Di Maria
Score Prediction
PSG 1-2 Nice
The visitors have a stingy defense and an attack that can take advantage of a struggling PSG side. All the confidence and momentum is with Nice and I expect another disappointing display from Paris.
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Photograph by FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Must Win.
I think that we should play Verratti in midfield and Ben Arfa at RW replacing Di Maria, because Di Maria has been terrible. Or we could play Matuidi at LW in a 4-2-3-1.
What’s the essence of being a tactitian when Emery has employed only 2 failed tactics so far? He’s yet to employ rigid formations like 4-4-2 or more flexible ones like 3-4-3. He should really go back to his tactics book and play more exciting football. It seems he’s really running out of ideas. The players have looked really clueless especially in the final third in the last two matches
I would love to see a PSG side with a 4-2-2-2, with Ben Arfa and Lucas at the CAM positions. Pastore would fit in well when he’s fit. Jese and Cavani up top would be a great attacking duo.
In the January window we could buy reinforcements and switch back to a 4-2-3-1.