Paris Saint-Germain takes center stage, but without Zlatan Ibrahimovic
By Richard FarleyMar 6, 2013, 9:30 AM EST
Three weeks ago, Juventus and Celtic took the top of the marquee on their Champions League match day, pushing Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Valencia to a supporting role. But with the Old Lady having all but killed that tie off in Glasgow, PSG's attempt move into the quarterfinals gets top billing today. They'll be the first choice game on your cable box come Wednesday afternoon.
Normally that would thrust Zlatan Ibrahimovic center stage, but thanks to a controversial red card at the end of the Parisians' trip to Spain, "Ibra" is suspended for the second leg. If PSG's going to defend their 2-1 league, they're going to have to do so without their best player.
While Carlo Ancelotti didn't commit to how he'd replace Ibrahimovic, his squad leaves few options:
Kevin Gameiro could replace [suspended] Zlatan Ibrahimović, that's one option, but we could also change our game plan, although Gameiro and Ezequiel Lavezzi are our only available strikers.
One star that seems likely to play is David Beckham, The former LA Galaxy playmakers has been impressive in his two appearances with PSG. Reading Ancelotti's words, it seems team's new regista is battling for a spot in the squad's starting lineup:
He provides us with his qualities and his character and he's as important as any other player here. Maybe he will play tomorrow, in place of the suspended Marco Verratti, maybe he won't.
We could ask Ancelotti anything and get the same answer. Maybe Beckham's a soccer fembot. Maybe not. Perhaps Ibrahimovic is a Norse footballing god. Perhaps not. Maybe Thiago Motta's still throwing darts at headshots of Sergio Busquets. Or maybe his back won't let him. The wisdom of Carlo is rather predictable.
Thankfully, Valencia coach Ernesto Valverde spoke with more certainty:
What are our tactics for the match? The same as those we used in the first leg, but hopefully without conceding. Seriously, we were punished by PSG on the break. We dominated possession but they were the more dangerous team. It's up to us to take our chances.
Here's the report from that match, a game where the difference was in the midfields. For Paris Saint-Germain, Blaise Matuidi had a great game, Marco Veratti was strong, while Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore each contributed to goals. For Valencia, Ever Banega and Dani Parejo were non-factors, while Tino Costa was off target for a half.
With Thiago Silva back, Paris Saint-Germain will be better situated to hold out, if they even need to. Ibrahimovic did not play a major part in either first leg goal, and if Valencia stays vulnerable to the counter attack, Lavezzi, Pastore, and Moura provide enough danger to steal a vital third goal.
But having scored twice at the Mestalla, PSG may not need it.