PSG stronger under Emery than Blanc – Silva

Thiago Silva believes Paris Saint-Germain are a better side under Unai Emery than they were when Laurent Blanc was at the helm.

The Ligue 1 champions have recovered from a run of just one win in five games during December and their 2-0 victory over Metz in the Coupe de la Ligue, in which Silva scored both his side’s goals, was their third in consecutive competitive matches.

Emery’s side have scored 14 goals without reply in those games and Silva credited the Spaniard for PSG’s free-scoring form.

“We are more aggressive on the pitch, we try to score more goals,” said the 32-year-old.

“Last season with Blanc we scored a lot of goals but we did not really try to score the second, the third every game. Now with Emery we want to score more goals and respect our opponent.

“I think we are better now. Even when you look at the game against Lorient before the winter break [PSG won 5-0], it was a very good game.”

PSG’s recent form has relieved some of the pressure on Emery, who was facing something of a crisis after his side suffered their fourth league defeat when they lost 2-1 at Guingamp on December 17.

After victories over Metz, Bastia and Lorient, PSG’s trip to Rennes in Ligue 1 will pose a tougher test but Silva said the squad is now settled.

He said: “It always takes some time when you change the technical staff. Sometimes you don’t understand what they ask for. I think after six months now we have understood perfectly what our coach wants. That’s the reason we have improved.

“I hope we can keep playing like that as we have some important games ahead of us.”