What We Learned from the PSG-Bordeaux Match

There are always some enticing early-season matchups. Sunday was no different as Bordeaux came into Paris looking to continue their good start, and to pile onto PSG's early-season struggles.

While PSG was making due without the suspended Ezequiel Lavezzi, the return of Ibrahimovic and Motta to the squad was the cause for much excitement among their faithful. 

What resulted was another typical Ligue 1 clash (0-0), and what this game told us about PSG follows.

The offseason questions surrounding former PSG captain Sakho seem to have been answered, especially against Bordeaux. Sakho had perhaps his best game under Ancelotti.

He was responsible for shutting down the Bordeaux attack, and made some fine plays in doing so. This is a change from the injured, out-of-form defender we saw last season. With Thiago Silva rounding into match fitness, Sakho is giving Ancelotti a lot of options and headaches for future selection.

Ancelotti's favored formation has Ibrahimovic sitting up top as a lone target man. In an effort to contain Ibra, Bordeaux went with three central defenders. They effectively locked up Ibra with constant double teams, and held the rest of PSG at bay with a total defensive mindset.

Ibra worked hard to get himself into dangerous positions, but Bordeaux's tactics limited his touches and effectiveness. Ibra is good enough to still find the net against these types of tactics, but his impact will be well below his lofty standards.

PSG can expect to see more of this tactic used against them as opponents view a draw as a success. Unless his wings can create more offense, Ancelotti may need to transition to a striker partnership up top to try and open things up for his star.

It was to be expected, but so far, every team has brought their best against PSG. Combined with the defensive tactics being employed, it is effectively limiting PSG's attack.

This will be a consistent obstacle for PSG as the season continues. The results from the first few matches are giving a confidence boost to everyone on the schedule. Confident opponents are more difficult to overcome, and PSG has to begin worrying about lost points as some contenders run out on them.

If we have learned anything from the first three games, it is that PSG needs time to gel on the field. This has been made more difficult through players who have been out.

Thiago Silva is yet to make his debut, Motta saw his first action this weekend, Pastore and Ibra have missed a game and Lavezzi is out for one more game. Trying to find cohesion on the field is difficult enough, but with the new faces playing such an important role, it is more difficult.

Over time, PSG will find that on the field connection they are currently lacking. It looked better against a tough opponent in Bordeaux, but not good enough to overcome the defensive tactics employed.