PSG’s midfield trio is the real bright light despite Zlatan hogging limelight

When Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Edinson Cavani, Coach Laurent Blanc was instantly questioned as to how he would combine the Uruguayan with the talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His reply was that he would definitely play two upfront. The easiest way to combine two of the world’s top strikers would be 4-4-2 – however three midfielders had a different plan, one so dominant that a €60m+ striker is having to play out of position. You can’t argue with the results.

After opening the season with two disappointing draws Blanc switched to 4-3-3 away against Nantes, it was far from perfect, it was easily another game that PSG could have drawn, but even with the almost hapless Javier Pastore playing a deep playmaker role the away side won 2-1. Another disappointing performance at home to Guingamp followed; again Pastore was played in the deep midfield role. Late goals from Pastore’s replacement, Rabiot and Ibrahimovic saved their blushes.

Then it happened, away at Bordeaux, the midfield trio of Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verrattistarted together for the first time this season, and Blanc hasn’t looked back since. Since the 2-0 win at the Stade Chaban Delmas only a 1-1 draw with Monaco blemishes their 100% record. There is no doubt this midfield trio is as much, if not more, of a reason as Ibrahimovic or anyone else.

Blaise Matuidi was close to piping Zlatan for Player of the Year award last season and his form his continued into the current campaign. The 26-year-old leads the trio on Squawka’s performance index with 317 points. After 10 appearances he will be disappointed to only have the one goal but his heart, desire and work rate cannot be questioned by anyone. Nothing spectacular, he just does the simple things well, really well. Completing 91% of his passes over an average distance of 15m, winning 87% of his tackles, but its engine and positioning that are the most impressive.

Blaise Matuidi Duels Won

So far this season he has made 19 interceptions and 14 clearances. At times it seems like he is everywhere, the ground he covers makes it look like PSG have an extra man on the field. Against Marseille when PSG were down to 10-men, the work of Matuidi made it look like it was the Parisians had the extra man advantage. Free to speak to other clubs in January, if you are Nasser Al-Khelaifi, you lock him in a room until he signs a new deal.

To complement the box-to-box, all-action style of Matuidi you need a steady head to control tempo and dictate the play, in Thiago Motta, PSG have the perfect man for the job. At 31-years-old he is the elder statesman of the group, but he is enjoying some of the best football he has played. Second to Matuidi on the Squawka Performance Score, but with two less appearances, he may not have scored in the league but his two goals against Olympiakos in the Champions League capped off a wonderful performance. With 93% of his passes finding their mark and 12 key passes so far, he is metronome of this PSG side.

Thiago Motta Passes v Anderlecht (92% Pass Accuracy)

He has only made three interceptions, three clearances and three blocks but has won 90% of his tackles. Not afraid to do the dirty work when called upon, but he’s much better at bringing Matuidi and Marco Verratti into the game.

And it’s the Italian Verratti that has improved the most this season. After an excellent start to PSG’s title campaign the Italian fell away and became a bit part player in the second-half, now under Blanc’s 4-3-3 he is an integral part of the team and is flourishing as PSG begin to finally find that touch of style and class that was always missing under Carlo Ancelotti.

Although he is third in the Squawka Performance Score with 129 points, he has really come along this season. With the protection provided by Motta and the magnificent Matuidi beside him, Verratti has been able to step up and push the team forward. He has completed 91% of his passes but with the longest average distance of the three – at 19 metres, although he has only made five key passes, he is the only one with an assist so far.

In eight games so far he has won 91% of his tackles, made eight interceptions, six clearances and seven blocks. He still loves to get into the thick of the action, sometimes letting his temper run away with him. If he gets his mouth in check he has the ability to become one of Europe’s elite midfielders. Often linked with Andrea Pirlo while at Pescara, the similarities are there but with Verratti you can see him becoming much more of an attacking threat from a more advanced position than Pirlo. As his confidence grows and his understanding with Cavani and Lavezzi improves, the Italian will contribute more assists and much more of an attacking presence.

Whether it’s in Ligue 1 or the Champions League, it is going to take a very good team to win the midfield battle against this team, this trio has it all. They can only get better as all three start to provide more key passes and more assists and even more goals. With Adrien Rabiot and Hervin Ongenda now able to come in and keep the trio fresh, the chance of Blanc returning to 4-4-2 seems very remote. That’s something that Cavani and the rest of Europe will need to be very wary of.