A standout performance by Argentine Javier Pastore on Tuesday inspired Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Metz and saw the winners open a three-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.
Pastore, one of three players pinpointed as not going anywhere in the close-season by club president Nasser al-Khelaifi in an interview in Tuesday’s Le Parisien, was in devastating form, setting up all three PSG goals for Marco Verratti, Edinson Cavani and Gregory van der Wiel.
The win gives the two-time defending champions a three-point cushion over Olympique Lyonnais, who have a slightly better goal-difference with four matches remaining.
Photo: AFP
Metz by contrast saw a four-match unbeaten run come to an end and are still without an away win since September last year — they lie second-bottom, eight points from safety with a maximum of 12 points to be taken from their remaining matches.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc, who also received the thumbs-up from al-Khelaifi in the interview, said his players were handling the incessant run of games very well.
“One forgets often that Paris has been on the go non-stop for the past two months,” said Blanc, whose side could seal a domestic treble this season having won the Coupe de la Ligue and with a date against second-tier AJ Auxerre in the Coupe de France final still awaiting.
“However, it gives me joy as a coach to see like this evening players who are determined, who battle for every ball, who betray few weaknesses,” Blanc said.
Blanc, who saw his side’s hopes in the UEFA Champions League ended by Barcelona last week in the quarter-finals, said that the result was not a title-winning one.
“It is not an essential step towards the title,” said Blanc, whose contract as France national team coach was not renewed after the Euro 2012 finals.
“There are still four matches remaining and we have to take a lot of points. We are in a good place, but that is not enough,” he added.
Verratti struck with a sweetly taken right-footed effort, after being set up by Pastore.
The 25-year-old was at the heart of the second goal as well, finding Cavani, who had started the move, with a deft pass and the Uruguayan made no mistake.
Metz refused to give up and got back into the game seven minutes into the second half when midfielder Bouna Sarr outstripped David Luiz down the right flank, the 23-year-old’s cross beating Thiago Silva and met with full force by on-loan striker Modibo Maiga’s head giving goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez no chance.
However, the hosts wrapped up the points 13 minutes from time as the dynamic Pastore picked out Van der Wiel’s run and the defender’s shot crept under Metz goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui.
Blanc praised Pastore’s performance with certain qualifications.
“He is a player I value highly. He had a difficult time earlier in the season, but in the last 10 to 12 matches he has come through especially in the absence of Ibrahimovic. This evening he could have been better as he lacked lucidity on occasions, but I think that could be down to fatigue,” Blanc said.
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