Paris SG starts bid for European victory

PARIS - The Associated Press

Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a stunning start to his Paris Saint-Germain career, scoring five goals in just four games at the wealthy club. AFP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain’s bid to become a European power gets under way with a Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev tonight, with coach Carlo Ancelotti confident his expensively assembled team has turned the corner after a slow start to the season.

After beginning the season with three straight draws, Paris Saint-Germain has won its last two.
“We’re getting better and I think we’re ready for the Champions League now,” PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “The team is beginning to take shape.”

With nearly 160 million euros spent on new players this season, including star signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG will be expected to win a Group A that features Porto and Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian side hosts Porto tonight.

Brazil defender Thiago Silva, who joined PSG from AC Milan along with Ibrahimovic, is expected to make his long-awaited debut at center back.

Ibrahimovic scored in weekend’s 2-0 win against Toulouse, his fifth league goal of the season proving that he has settled in quickly. More importantly for Ancelotti, the defense is getting stronger.

“In four matches, we have conceded only one goal, and that was from a set piece situation,” Ancelotti said.

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb will hope for better fortune than in last year’s Champions League - although it could hardly do worse.

Dinamo lost all its matches in the group stage, conceding a Champions League record of 22 goals - including seven in an embarrassing home thrashing by Lyon.

“We are outsiders, but we will do our best not to lose,” Dinamo coach Ante Cacic said.