Zlatan Ibrahimovic Silence Critics

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc said that Zlatan Ibrahimovic had answered his critics by inspiring his team to victory over Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.

Ibrahimovic created the opening goal for Adrien Rabiot and then volleyed in a 67th-minute winner as French champions PSG won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory.

The outspoken Swede, sent off during PSG’s success against Chelsea in last season’s competition, has faced criticism throughout his career for failing to reproduce his domestic form in European competition, but Blanc said that he had proven his worth.

“Zlatan played a match in keeping with what he’s done this season,” the former France defender told reporters in his post-match press conference.

“You always have doubts because it’s Ligue 1. That’s the truth. You ask if he can play like that in the Champions League. He gave his response tonight.

“He has important qualities for us. He moves the two centre-backs around in the opposing team.

“Technically he sees things very quickly. When he drops deep – which we ask him to do – he helps put our game in place. He played a great match like lots of PSG players tonight, like pretty much the whole team.

“It won’t give him confidence as he already has huge confidence in himself. But a goal and an assist will do him well, and the coach and the club get the benefit.”

Chelsea’s interim manager Guus Hiddink also heralded Ibrahimovic, whose contract expires at the end of the season, when he was asked if the 34-year-old could cut it in the Premier League.

“He’s proving already many, many years what kind of player he is,” said the Dutchman, who lost goal-scorer Diego Costa and Eden Hazard to injury in the second half.

“He’s a personality, he’s the boss in this team and they use him perfectly.

“He’s not the youngest, but for his age, for a footballer he’s doing very well. He can adapt himself, also through his big personality, in any league in Europe.”