Blanc hails revamped PSG after Bastia win

Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc heaped praised his revamped side after they hammered Bastia 4-0 on Saturday.

Blanc made a number of changes to the side for PSG’s first game since the international break, with youngsters Adrien Rabiot and Hervin Ongenda both named in the starting XI.

Still, Bastia proved no match for the defending Ligue 1 champions, who ensured the points thanks to doubles from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.

And former France head coach Blanc expressed his delight at the mentality his side displayed in spite of the alterations.

“What makes me happy, despite the composition of the team, is the intentions we had,” he said.

“Our philosophy is the same no matter what the system is or who the players are.

“We are in a good period. We get to do what we want to do.”

Sweden international Ibrahimovic put Blanc’s men in command with a double inside the opening 13 minutes, the first coming in spectacular fashion as he found the top corner with a backheel volley.

Cavani replaced Ibrahimovic for the second half, and he made sure of the win with a fine individual goal – the Uruguayan rounding the keeper after weaving his way through the defence – before capping off a fine performance with a penalty.

Blanc was quick to praise both players for their excellent strikes, and reiterated his view that the pair can work as a strike partnership.

“They are both beautiful (goals),” Blanc added.

“For Ibra’s he must be very flexible and Cavani’s requires great technique.

“I am sure they can play together. We must ensure that the team is effective when they are together.”