Thiago Motta’s Performances Are Hindering PSG Creatively and Defensively

Football is a business full of short memories. It was only last week that Paris Saint-Germain threw away a lead against Arsenal—plus a whole host of chances—to draw in their opening Champions League fixture.

The six-goal win over Caen on Friday night was followed by Tuesday’s midweek fixture against Dijon FCO. The newly promoted side should have offered little in the way of a challenge, and the 3-0 victory suggests it was a routine night for the champions.

In only their second visit to the capital, Dijon won’t want to travel back in a hurry. A 2-0 defeat in the league in 2011 was followed up by a Coupe de la Ligue win, Coupe de France loss and a league defeat at the Stade Gaston Gerard.

Olivier Dall’Oglio’s team wouldn’t have been expecting to leave the French capital with a result, but for their first visit in nearly four years, they gave a good account of themselves and were a little unfortunate.

Despite the three goals, it was a far-from-impressive performance from PSG. The away side actually matched PSG boss Unai Emery’s team for shots on goal—four on target—and will go back to Burgundy with positives.

Maxwell’s opening goal was a cross, taking a deflection off Adam Lang—on his debut—and dropping over Baptiste Reynet’s head. Then a poor tackle from Jordan Loties handed PSG a penalty for the second.

Both avoidable, both poor goals to concede from Dijon’s perspective.

From there, the game was over and Lucas Moura would head in the third in the second half, getting on the end of Maxwell’s cross.

For the Spanish coach, with a few players missing through injury, and Hatem Ben Arfa not included in the matchday squad again, it was a chance to get a look at some of his other options. One of them stood out and his ability is limiting PSG’s performance, especially in the final third.

Now 34 years old, Thiago Motta took his place in the midfield beside Adrien Rabiot and Javier Pastore and although he is an able passer in the middle of the park, he is adding little to the overall display.

Early in the game, you could see the Italian dropping into the defence to make a back three to allow Thomas Meunier and Maxwell attack down the flanks.

Everything seems a lot slower tonight than it was on Friday, I guess that’s what’ll happen when Motta/Pastore replace Krycho/Matuidi. #PSG

— PSG Tourist (@PSGTourist) September 20, 2016 …

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