GettyImagesAlex puts PSG on their way to a 4-0 thumping of Dinamo Zagreb

Paris Saint-Germain have all but sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League thanks to a thumping 4-0 home win over Dinamo Zagreb that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspire the hosts to a superb second half attacking display. Whilst their first half performance left a lot to be desired, there were a number of positives to take from the result for the capital club and coach Carlo Ancelotti. The performances of Adrien Rabiot, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marco Verrati in particular were impressive, but arguably the most encouraging aspect was Ibra's unselfish performance that saw him assist all four goals.

- Ibrahimovic stars in PSG romp

In recent weeks PSG have been accused of an Ibra-dependence and once again the towering Swede proved fundamental to the side's success, but it was not the prolific striker hitting the net this time. Alex, Blaise Matuidi, Jeremy Menez and Guillaume Hoarau all profited from Ibrahimovic's creative display that saw him function superbly as part of an attacking trident alongside the hard-working Lavezzi and deceptively average Menez. Whilst the former AC Milan man was pulling all the strings, it is worth noting that les Parisiens have scored nine goals in this season's competition and Ibrahimovic has only accounted for two of them. Hardly an over-reliance.

Ancelotti fielded a few surprises in his starting line-up giving Alex, Momo Sissoko, Christophe Jallet and Lavezzi starts and an even rarer 90 minutes for teenage sensation Adrien Rabiot. The 17-year-old didn't look out of his depth either, running Ibra close for the man of the match award with a mature showing. Lavezzi was equally as impressive, returning from a six-week layoff to put in an industrious performance as he regains match fitness. Sissoko was solid if unspectacular in a midfield trio which until Verratti's half-time introduction, looked too defence-minded. Jallet however, was disappointing and the right-back position continues to give Ancelotti headaches.

The result signals the reaction that Ancelotti was looking for pre-match and the scoreline and second-half showing was exactly what the doctor ordered. The first-half started with Zagreb actually enjoying the better of the chances but Ibrahimovic quickly put paid to supporter-less side's chances in the game with a well-worked corner that Alex finished with aplomb. Apart from that Ancelotti's attacking trio failed to sparkle and at times looked unsure of their positions, that all changed in the second half though as PSG's cutting edge came to the fore with a devastating display of attacking might.

Ibra laid on Matuidi after a beautiful passing move, before finding Menez who danced past the Zagreb goalkeeper to complete his only meaningful contribution of the night. The Swede went close with an almost-spectacular scissor kick before completing the night with a superb show of Ibra-provisation to set up Hoarau for an finish from an almost impossible angle, the Frenchman's second goal in as many games following a remarkable reversal in fortune. A well-deserved goal continued to elude him though but failing to find the net hardly damages his reputation or scoring return and if anything, showed a creative streak that had so far been unseen in Ligue 1.

Overall a positive night for Ancelotti and his players, the result the perfect way to bounce back from a disappointing showing against Saint-Etienne and another warning for the club's potential future European opponents. Added to the result, Porto were held in Kiev meaning that a victory for PSG in Ukraine in a fortnight sets up a shootout between the capital club and the Portuguese for top spot in Group A. Next up Montpellier in a tricky looking away encounter at the weekend and on this form, the defending champions will be thankful Ibra will not be present.

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