Zlatan Ibrahimovic defended by PSG boss Laurent Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc defended his decision to keep faith in Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the striker had a night to forget in a goalless home draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic, whose start to the season was plagued by injuries, had scored six goals in four Ligue 1 contests ahead of the Champions League Group A clash.

But the talismanic Swede disappointed on the big stage, failing to fire a shot on target at the Parc des Princes.

"I would have liked it if we had had more attacking power," Blanc said. "As a coach I am optimistic."

"Our squad will not change much during the season so having everyone, including Zlatan, is good in this kind of matches.

"I have the choice not to make him play, to rest him for 15 days, but I also have the choice to encourage him, to make him work so that he is at his best level in a game like today's, but also in games that will be more decisive later in the season."

Ibrahimovic started up front with Angel Di Maria on his right and Edinson Cavani on the left, but he made little impact.

"In the first half we were good in our own half, but then we were losing the ball in the midfield," Blanc said.

"After the break we were much better and they started to lose the ball. Indeed we exposed ourselves to counter attacks, but that's the price to pay when you want to beat them.

"We wanted to win this game so obviously we are disappointed."

Real Madrid counterpart Rafael Benitez hailed his team's performance.

"We saw an aggressive team, who had a desire to go for the goal," the Spaniard said.

"We brought the danger in their area with Jese, Lucas Vazquez, Cristiano Ronaldo. We lacked that little detail that makes the difference, but the overall balance is very very positive."

Real are top of Group A with seven points and lead PSG on goal difference after three games