Article

Matuidi marvels at Lavezzi influence

7 March 2013 13:23

PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi praised team-mate Ezequiel Lavezzi in the aftermath of the Argentine's goal in the Champions League.

The former Napoli star had previously netted in PSG's 2-1 victory in the first leg over Valencia, thus playing a key role in the Ligue 1 side's qualification for the quarter-finals of the competition when he scored the equaliser in their 1-1 second leg on Wednesday.

"Lavezzi is an exceptional player and we're lucky to have him," Matuidi told the official UEFA website.

However, Matuidi insisted PSG were not a one-man side while conceding they had a difficult evening against Valencia.

"But it's not just (Lavezzi). We saw against Valencia that we can count on everyone.

"Qualification for the quarter-finals is a great moment for the club. It wasn't easy. We were up against a very strong Valencia team, but we stuck together, defended well and were clinical on the counterattack.

"We knew that we needed a good performance to go through and we produced one."

PSG resume match Ligue 1 action on Saturday when they host Nancy.

Info

PSG

W W D W W

1 - 1

Valencia

W W W L W

Competition

Half-time: 0 - 0
Full-time: 1 - 1

On aggregate: 3 - 2

Venue: Parc des Princes (Paris)
Attendance: 44867

Goals

	0 - 1	55' Jonas (assist by A. Costa)
E. Lavezzi 66'	1 - 1

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
30	S. Sirigu
26	C. Jallet
13	Alex
17	Maxwell
2	Thiago Silva
14	B. Matuidi
28	Thiago Motta
20	C. Chantôme
27	J. Pastore
29	Lucas
11	E. Lavezzi	66' 67'
Coach: C. Ancelotti

#	Player	Bookings
13	Guaita
22	J. Mathieu
14	Barragán
3	A. Cissokho
18	Víctor Ruíz	38'
6	Albelda	22'
24	A. Costa
8	S. Feghouli
21	Dani Parejo	84'
9	Soldado	80'
7	Jonas	55'
Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
23	G. van der Wiel for C. Jallet 27'
19	K. Gameiro for Thiago Motta 58'
3	M. Sakho for Lucas 83'
1	N. Douchez
6	Z. Camara
22	S. Armand
32	D. Beckham

#	Player	Bookings
10	É. Banega for Albelda 46'	90+2'
11	P. Piatti for S. Feghouli 63'
16	N. Valdéz for Jonas 76'
1	Diego Alves
12	João Pereira
17	A. Guardado
23	Canales

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05:24	Fiorentina reject Jovetic rumours
05:16	Piszczek set for post-season surgery
04:48	Adriano signs Barca extension
04:33	International Friendly: Venezuela 2 El Salvador 1
04:22	Bundesliga chief slams Qatar World Cup scheduling
03:52	Gignac wants Barton to stay
02:35	Ramsey, Walcott hail Wenger´s achievements
02:20	Loew regrets timing of German finale

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20:56	Mourinho and Ronaldo given two-match bans
20:48	AFC Champions League Wrap: Lekhwiya hold on to progress
20:37	Thomas, Jara released by West Brom
20:16	Martinez to decide future
20:04	Pearce: Championship will not hold back McCarthy
19:05	Pulis: I understand Stoke´s decision
18:39	Vidic reflects on ´amazing´ season
18:17	Bale: Spurs will bounce back
17:56	Petrov to become academy coach at Aston Villa
17:56	De Laurentiis begins search for Mazzarri replacement
17:52	New York City FC appoint Reyna
17:50	Pardew: We should try emulate Liverpool
17:20	Ribery: Bayern stronger than Dortmund
17:04	Conte building for the future at Juventus
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16:07	Chelsea´s England players to leave tour early
16:05	Fiorentina capture Yakovenko
15:25	Pellegrini and Malaga to part company
15:04	Fulham sign Boateng
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14:12	Britton set for surgery
14:03	Neville interested in Everton job
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13:36	Rodgers confident of keeping Suarez at Liverpool
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10:11	Mourinho branded a ´failure´
06:44	Carroll out of England squad
05:37	Nasri throws support behind Pellegrini
05:07	Kewell unhappy with Australia omission
04:58	Messi: Neymar would be a wonderful addition
01:22	Doll: Dortmund are not underdogs

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23:08	AFC Champions League Wrap: Seoul, Buriram, Al Ahli, Al Shabab advance
22:27	Pulis leaves Stoke
21:08	Sanogo relishing Arsenal move
21:05	Galtier signs extension at Saint-Etienne
20:32	Baines explains appearance record
20:28	Pulis future in doubt amid exit rumours
20:12	Swansea coach Tucker praises goalkeepers
19:25	West Ham sign Rat
19:10	McAuley eager to keep improving
18:43	Ribery keen to end career at Bayern
18:36	Reina plays down Barcelona speculation
18:20	De Boer agrees new Ajax deal
18:13	Sheffield United make McCall move
18:11	Heldt: Schalke interested in Santana
18:06	Messi urges Barcelona not to change
17:41	Manchester City agree MLS club deal with New York Yankees
16:57	Cech confident Chelsea will attract big names
16:48	Blackman urges Reading to be more ruthless
16:47	Montanier leaves Sociedad for Rennes
15:38	Rodgers pleased with Coutinho impact
15:30	Leonardo: Ibrahimovic and Silva to stay
15:08	Carroll thanks West Hams fans after loan spell
14:31	De Laurentiis confirms Dzeko interest
14:16	Wilshere dreams of England captaincy
14:14	Mourinho a ´scourge´ on Spanish football
14:02	Moratti will not rush decision on Stramaccioni´s future
13:43	Klopp warns Dortmund stars about leaving
12:44	Schneiderlin backs Southampton to improve
12:29	Podolski delighted with fourth spot
12:12	Sigurdsson targets improvement at Tottenham
11:17	Di Canio criticised by PFA chief
10:50	Steaua owner Becali jailed for three years
10:00	Hummels pledges future to Dortmund
09:46	Retiring Ferguson ´overwhelmed´ by recognition
09:31	J.League Preview: Top three expected to win
06:34	Argentine Primera Division Wrap: Tigre earn point at Lanus
06:21	Galtier wants Ancelotti to stay
06:09	Pique, Barca playing for record haul
04:41	Gazidis, Arsenal target silverware
03:17	Juan plots Inter redemption
03:08	Gibbs wants to build on strong finish
02:58	Racism will not drive out Drogba
02:28	Martinez coy on Wigan future
02:17	Fernandinho still seeking City switch
02:01	Roberto Carlos set to coach Sivasspor
00:13	Ferguson named LMA Manager of the Year

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