PARIS.
Ibracadabra!
After a storming week, Zlatan scored a hattrick and sent a message to all the haters out there. PSG beat Lorient 3-1 and put pressure on Lyon and Marseille.
– They awaken the lion, Zlatan said after the game.
After less than three minutes PSG took the lead. A wonderful pass from Thiago Silva reached a wonderfully running Zlatan, who was brutally fouled by goalkeeper Lecomte. Penalty for PSG. Which of course Zlatan himself took care of in his typical supersafe manner. 1-0, dreamstart for PSG.
BEAUTIFUL MOVE BY ZLATAN
PSG kept attacking. In the 30th minute, Zlatan made a supernice move. A backheel-through-pass to Lavezzi made the PSG-crowd cheer. Lavezzi unfortunately shot straight on Lecomte, so still 1-0. PSG lost some pace in the last 15 minutes of the first half and the halftime score was 1-0.
PSG DIDN'T MANAGE TO CLOSE THE GAME
With the loss against Bordeaux last weekend and the lost points against Caen in memory, the second half wasn't as brilliant from PSG. Well, until the 64th minute. Then, PSG delivered an amazing attack. Pastore dribbled, passed Cavani, to Zlatan who with a rabona passed back to Cavani, to Zlatan again, and then almost to Lavezzi, would have been a dreamgoal.
SHOCK PUNISHMENT BY LORIENT
And what happened instead? Lorient equalized. On a very effective counterattack, Ayew all of a sudden scored a great goal. 1-1 and what was a truly onesided game was not completely open.
ZLATAN TOOK CHARGE AND SCORED HIS SECOND PENALTY
The game was in limbo after Lorient's goal. The crowd wanted PSG to storm forward but it was clear there was some fear in the team. Ayew was constantly on the move and PSG played safe. Then Zlatan stepped forward. First PSG (questionably) got a penalty in the 82 minute and Zlatan shot 2-1 with great confidence.
HATTRICK AND MEANINGFUL CELEBRATION
That pretty much decided the game but Zlatan wanted more. In extra time he was set open by Verratti and with only Lecomte left, Z scored his third goal of the evening, 3-1. It was his second hattrick of the season and his goal celebration said it all. Hand-gesture saying something like "you talk, I score". It made us all smile and meant PSG (temporarily) took the Ligue 1-lead and Zlatan got closer to Lacazette in the top goalscorer-league, only 6 goals behind now. Forza Grande Ibra, great night!
It's been a very turbulent week for Ibra and we were all curious about how he would handle it. He showed everybody that he is in great form with several great moves and more importantly he looked very quick on his feet. Already in the 3rd minute he fixed a penalty for PSG, a penalty he himself shot in goal. Whole PSG lost some pace and also possession in the last 15 minutes of the first but overall a tremendous half by Ibra.
This became a typical, wonderful Zlatan-evening where he just took charge of the game and made it his. Sure, he got two penalties but he did so much more and with the third goal he finished an awesome game. Backheels, rabonas, great passes and three goals. He can only get 5/5 stars and with the typical Ibra-attittude-celebration at the end, he made alot of people smile. This is why we love him and support him through thick and thin. Thank you, Ibra.
GOALS.
4' - 1-0. Zlatan Ibrahimović, PSG (p).
67' - 1-1. Ayew, Lorient.
82' - 2-1. Zlatan Ibrahimović, PSG (p).
90' - 3-1. Zlatan Ibrahimović, PSG.
3 |
1 |
|---|
Starting 11: |
|
|---|---|
Goals: |
3 |
Assists: |
– |
Card: |
– |
Minutes: |
90' |
First touch: |
0.01 min |
13 |
1-touch pass |
5 |
10 |
2-touch pass |
1 |
6 |
Multi-touch pass |
1 |
29 |
TOTAL |
7 |
|
|
|
|---|
ON GOAL/GOAL |
WIDE |
OVER |
BLOCKED |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Right Foot Shots |
#1, 2, 3 |
|||
Left Foot Shots |
||||
Headers |
||||
Freekicks |
– |
Dribbles |
2 |
– |
Crosses |
– |
1 |
Duels - Header |
1 |
– |
Duels - Physical |
– |
3 |
Interceptions |
|
Missed receptions |
4 |
|
– |
Freekicks for/against |
2 |
Offside |
2 |
CAVANI |
|---|
LAVEZZI out 65' |
|---|
The match against Lorient ends in a 3-1 win for PSG. What are your thoughts about tonight's performance?
You score all three PSG goals – two on penalty kicks and one in the final minutes when you were free with Lorient's keeper and could cooly place the ball. Are you getting close to top form?
In the situation that led to your first penalty kick you got tackled hard by Lorient's keeper and many worried PSG fans and Swedish fans held their breath. Did the rough treatment affect you during the rest of the match?
We got to see a Zlatan who seemed to be in a good playing mood. Besides the goals you made heel kicks and showed technical skills. Has all the commotion during the last week given you extra motivation, or what was it that got you is such a good mood today?
Source: Zlatan Unplugged.
= Goal
= On Goal
= Wide/Over/Blocked