PARIS: Paris St Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls the ball during the Ligue 1 match against Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium.—AFP
PARIS: Paris St Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls the ball during the Ligue 1 match against Nice at the Parc des Princes Stadium.—AFP

PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged a hat-trick as Paris St Germain geared up for their midweek Champions League clash against Manchester City with a convincing 4-1 Ligue 1 win over Nice at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Having already secured a fourth consecutive league title, PSG host the English Premier League club on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Ibrahimovic took his tally for the season to 30 league goals and David Luiz also scored for PSG while Hatem Ben Arfa had earlier found the net for Nice.

Ibrahimovic put PSG ahead from defender Luiz’s assist. He gave the hosts a 2-1 lead from a direct free kick after Ben Arfa levelled the score with a superb solo goal running through PSG’s midfield and firing in from 20 metres out.

Luiz made it 3-1 after the interval, and Ibrahimovic sealed the win eight minutes from time with a clean finish.

“We played a good game ahead of Wednesday’s European match against City,” Ibrahimovic said.

“It was a good preparation. We need to continue like this, with the same confidence, the same rhythm, and with a little bit of luck, we’ll get there. Personally, I feel good. The team is doing magical things this season and I’m just following them. They play well, so I play well.”

PSG, who are yet to advance past the Champions League quarter-finals since Qatari investors took over the club in 2011, have 80 points and with six games left lead second-placed Monaco, who lost 2-1 at home to Girondins de Bordeaux on Friday, by 25 points.

Nice, who occupy fourth spot, are one point behind third-placed Stade Rennes, who defeated Stade de Reims 3-1 after French rising star Ousmane Dembele scored a brace.

Both teams, however, will be leap-frogged by Olympique Lyon (49 points) if they win at Lorient on Sunday.

St Etienne also remain in the hunt for a top-three finish after defeating Gazelec Ajaccio 2-0, but Troyes’ relegation was officially confirmed following a 1-0 loss at home to Angers.

Toulouse clawed to within four points of safety with a 2-0 victory over Caen, while Montpellier and Guingamp edged further away from trouble following a 2-2 draw.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan puzzle
Updated 28 May, 2024

Afghan puzzle

Unless these elements are neutralised, it will not be possible to have the upper hand over terrorist groups.
Attacking minorities
28 May, 2024

Attacking minorities

Mobs turn into executioners due to the authorities’ helplessness before these elements.
Persistent scourge
28 May, 2024

Persistent scourge

THE challenge of polio in Pakistan has reached a new nadir, drawing grave concerns from the Technical Advisory Group...
Mercury rising
Updated 27 May, 2024

Mercury rising

Each of the country's leaders is equally responsible for the deep pit Pakistan seems to have fallen into.
Antibiotic overuse
27 May, 2024

Antibiotic overuse

ANTIMICROBIAL resistance is an escalating crisis claiming some 700,000 lives annually in Pakistan. It is the third...
World Cup team
27 May, 2024

World Cup team

PAKISTAN waited until the very end to name their T20 World Cup squad. Even then, there was last-minute drama. Four...