Share

PSG aim to distract Zlatan

Paris - Club success will help Zlatan Ibrahimovic overcome the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, his Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc has said on Thursday.

Ibrahimovic's Sweden team were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a playoff tie on Tuesday, meaning the striker only has club titles to fight for this season.

"His behaviour and his state of mind are good," Blanc told a news conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Stade Reims, where Ligue 1 leaders PSG will look to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 34 games.

"I found him well, I talked to him yesterday. He told me they were up against a very good Portugal team. Of course there is disappointment," the 1998 World Cup winner added.

PSG, however, are the hot favourites to retain their Ligue 1 title as they lead second-placed Lille by four points after 13 games with third-placed Monaco five points off the pace.

They also look set to make it through the group phase of the Champions League and need only one point from their last two games to reach the last 16.

"We need to make sure we reach our club's objectives and he will be happy," said Blanc.

"It will soothe the disappointment of not going to Brazil. He is disappointed but he has a good state of mind and he will prove it on Saturday."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
54% - 7 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
46% - 6 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE