Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 7y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'almost impossible' to replace - PSG's Maxwell

Paris Saint-Germain left back Maxwell has conceded former teammate and now Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "almost impossible to replace" in the French capital.

The Ligue 1 giants have endured a complicated start to the domestic season, even if their Champions League results could see them finish top of Group A, and Ibrahimovic's free transfer switch to Old Trafford this summer has been identified as a major factor in that difficult debut.

Speaking at PSG's prematch news conference ahead of Tuesday's clash with Ludogorets Razgrad, Maxwell branded ex-teammate and close friend Ibrahimovic as a major loss.

"Many of our players have changed, not only Ibra, but we still have a good squad," the veteran Brazilian insisted. "We move forward with a good atmosphere among us and a winning mentality. However, to replace a player like him, it is almost impossible."

Unai Emery's men will be looking to bounce back after last Saturday's surprise 3-0 loss away at Montpellier in Le Championnat and Maxwell revealed "it was tough after that defeat."

"We always play with our hearts set on victory," said the South American defender. "But we have always managed to bounce back after a defeat.

"This is not the first time we have lost. We have always shown character to react and get ourselves out of difficult situations.

"Fortunately we are playing every three days now and we have the chance to play and forget this defeat. Tuesday's match is a great opportunity for us to do that."

Ludogorets are the visitors to Parc des Princes on Tuesday and although PSG are clear favourites to win, Maxwell remembered how difficult it was for the French champions to come away from Bulgaria with a 3-1 win back in late September.

"The first time we played, we struggled a bit at the beginning of the match," the 35-year-old recalled. "They scored and then we bounced back by dominating possession and attacking swiftly.

"We are aware that it will be tough here, too. We enjoyed some good fortune in that first match but in the end, I think it was a deserved win.

"We are focused on having a good ending to the group stage. It is important for us to perform in this last home game and to finish in top spot."

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