Paris St Germain win big at Leverkusen, begin to ‘dream bigger’

PSG were eager to be tested by tough opposition in Germany. But they proved too strong for Bayer in all areas, even without their injured Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice — including another special strike from distance — to bring his European tally to 10 this term, and Yohan Cabaye celebrated his first PSG goal since arriving from Newcastle United in January. They were, though, aided by a Leverkusen team that had Emir Spahic sent off.

‘Paris is back’

There had been doubts recently about PSG’s capacity to raise their level, after they were eliminated at home by Montpellier in the French Cup last-32 round and laboured to beat some low-key sides.

But the questions were gone on Wednesday morning. “The great Paris is back,” declared the sports newspaper L’Equipe. “Paris showed inspiration and character,” it added.

Midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who scored the third-minute opener and set up Ibrahimovic for the Swede’s second goal, said he had had the same feeling on the pitch. “We felt that we were strong,” the France international said. “We have a high-level midfield. With what we’ve achieved in the Champions League for two seasons, we are not going to hide ourselves. We are a great team.”

Ibrahimovic’s double on Tuesday took him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the competition’s leading scorer this season with ten.