4 positives and 1 negative as Paris Saint-Germain cruise past FC Nantes

PSG have secured a dominating 3-0 home victory against relegation-threatened FC Nantes to extend their lead at the top of the league to four points ahead of RC Lens. This convincing performance was the perfect way for Luis Enrique and his team to bounce back following their disappointing loss to Lyon, a week before facing Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

Let’s take a look at four positives and one negative that PSG fans can take from last night’s dominant win over Nantes, which saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia score a brace, and Desiré Doué score a fine individual goal.

Positives and one negative as PSG dominated Nantes

Positive #1: Attackers look to be on song at business end of the season

PSG’s attackers continue to be in fine form, as both Doué and Kvaratskhelia scored exceptional goals, highlighting their prowess in front of goal that has increasingly been on display in recent weeks. Indeed, PSG’s starting front three against Nantes of Doué, Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé have now scored 10 of PSG’s last 11 goals in all competitions, including all four goals acoss both games of their two legged Champions League quarter final matchup against Liverpool. It represents the perfect time to come into form, and with PSG’s titanic matchup against Bayern Munich looming, fans of the French club will be encouraged by this upturn in form on behalf of their attackers.

Positive #2: Beraldo continues to impress in midfield

With Vitinha out injured for the Parisians for an undisclosed amount of time, they need to find a midfield solution, particularly for the aforementioned semi-final games vs Bayern Munich. Lucas Beraldo might just represent that solution: the young Brazilian is looking increasingly adept at the base of midfield, with last night’s performance arguably being his most impressive yet in that position. Beraldo offers both defensive assurance and confidence on the ball, both of which will impress Enrique in the absence of his usual midfield conductor Vitinha. Beraldo completed 46 out of 50 passes and won seven duels in what was an assured performance.

Positive #3: Dro Fernandez looks sharp as youngster is given a rare league start by Enrique

Dro Fernandez has only had somewhat limited gametime since his January move from Barcelona, but the 18-year-old has overall impressed when given time on the pitch, and yesterday was no exception. The La Masia graduate made two key passes yesterday, while completing 88% of his passes. An impressive performance from the young midfielder who has already become a fan favourite among the PSG faithful.

Positive #4: Zaire-Emery at left back is other alternative given absence of Nuno Mendes

Perhaps the standout feature of Warren Zaire-Emery’s season has been the versatility that he has been displaying throughout. Yesterday, the young Frenchman slot in at left back, having also often featured at right back throughout this season. The 20-year-old truly has got a knack for being useful just about anywhere that Enrique plays him, and given Nuno Mendes’s current injury absence, and the fact that Lucas Hernandez doesn’t necessarily seem to be favoured by Enrique, it’s a good sign if the titi looks comfortable in that role.

Negative #1: PSG still fail to control whole game and concede too many chances, a running theme this season.

Despite their dominant win, there is a grey cloud that is still very much present over PSG’s season: they do have a nasty habit of conceding too many chances. Nantes managed four shots on PSG’s goal yesterday, and were arguably unfortunate to have what would have been an equalising goal disallowed in the first half. PSG got away with it last night, but weren’t so fortunate on the weekend as Lyon made the most of PSG’s slack defending to secure a big win at the Parc des Princes. It’s something that has to imperatively be fixed before the Bayern game, as PSG seem to not be able to control a game for 90 minutes when their midfield controller Vitinha is not present. It’s certainly an issue to keep an eye on.

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