After two games without a victory in the Champions League, PSG would be well advised to restart the machine against Atlético Madrid this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes.
“Optimism and confidence, with the objective of winning the three points”. This is the feeling that drives Luis Enrique before PSG-Atlético, this Wednesday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, during the fourth day of the Champions League. Which Luis Enrique admitted “concerned» by the classification and qualification after the draw against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). There’s something there.
Four points in three games is not great. Especially when we know the program that awaits PSG in C1, with Bayern Munich and Manchester City in particular. Paris-Atlético, a decisive duel? “An important match”corrects the excellent Willan Pacho, guessing that the Parisians will have to be «patients» against the Spanish porcupine, best defense in La Liga. “No, it’s not decisive, not at all. If a team loses tomorrow but wins the next four matches it will qualify without any worries.agrees Luis Enrique, noting that the Paris-SG calendar “is harder than theirs, it’s clear, very difficult, but you never know what will happen in football”.
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Opposition of styles
This is not entirely true. With PSG, we know: the Rouge et Bleu are not going to deviate from their idea of the game, from the precepts of the dogmatic Luis Enrique. Mastery at all levels, possession, desire to unbalance the opponent, to push him to his limits. A real opposition in style with Diego Simeone’s Atléti, that’s clear. “He is an opponent who knows how to play very well collectively and has great individuals. Afterwards, whether we play against a team which adapts more to our idea of a game or which has a completely different idea of a game, I have no preference.breathes Luis Enrique, who often beat “Cholo” Simeone with Barça (9 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
Contrary to what some think, Paris Saint-Germain does not have two faces, one sluggish in the Champions League and another dominating in the championship. Simply, the level is higher on the European scene… “No, we still have the same face, the same collective idea. In terms of numbers, we are one of the best teams in defense and attack. I would sign straight away to have the same statistics as against PSV or Girona”underlines the 54-year-old Spanish technician.
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In this case, Paris Saint-Germain beat Girona (1-0) thanks to a small miracle in added time on the first day. Miracle that did not happen against Eindhoven (1-1). The Parisians had nevertheless done what was necessary in the game. The opportunities were there. Not the finish. We know that too: PSG is struggling in terms of efficiency in front of the opposing goal. We saw it again on Saturday, during the 1-0 victory against Lens. The Rouge et Bleu also increased their harvests in the second period in Marseille (3-0 victory). “It is important not to depend on any particular player in the long term”insists Luis Enrique. That’s good, his team depends… on two players, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé. Two players who are overflowing with talent but sometimes have difficulty finding the target. It’s historic for Dembélé, it could change in the future for the young Barcola, top scorer in L1 (8 goals) but who has only found the net once in C1 since last season, in 13 matches.
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You see the result, I see the overall picture, and it was very positive.
Luis Enrique
“I have no doubt: we will be one of the teams that scores the most. When will it trigger? I don’t know. What interests me is always to generate chances by having been stronger than the opponent, that’s my objective, to always generate chances. Scoring more or less is something else, we work week after week to improve efficiency, but above all I want to have the same statistics as against PSV and Girona. You see the result, I see the overall picture, and it was very positive. We drew against Eindhoven, that’s football, but we could have won these two matches. No one will say it’s right.”notes the former Spanish coach. Fair or not, you have to take points. “No, there are not two faces, we always have the same idea of the game. There have not been good results in the last matches but we still have the same idea and the same objective. We don’t have the results we hoped for in C1 but I’m sure we will get them.promised Pacho.
The sooner the better. Because it is perhaps not at the Allianz Arena or against Pep Guardiola’s Skyblues that PSG will take points. Against Arsenal, at the Emirates (2-0 defeat), we wanted to see and we saw. Victory will be imperative in Salzburg on December 10. Three points which could be enough to progress to the play-offs if Marquinhos and company had the good idea to increase their capital by having Atlético de “Grizou”. Otherwise, Paris would play its role in Stuttgart on January 29, during the final day.
Note that the Matelassiers, whom PSG has never met in its history, are not at their best. Certainly, they occupy third place in the La Liga standings. But the dynamics have not been breathtaking in recent weeks. And in C1, it’s red alert: after having disposed of Leipzig (3-2), Robin Le Normand and his teammates exploded against Benfica in Lisbon (0-4 defeat) and gave in to Lille (1-3). Nine goals conceded in three matches is more than in 12 La Liga matches (7). “I have no doubt, despite their results against Benfica and Lille, Atlético will show their best version (this Wednesday), a more competitive, stronger, more serious version. He will be a very tough opponent to fight.guesses Luis Enrique, who has however detected some flaws to exploit. “We have seen the mistakes they make to take advantage of it”slips Willian Pacho, who should be associated with Marqui.
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Uncertainty in cages
Knowing that the group is complete, with the exception of the long-term absentees Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe and Gonçalo Ramos, there should not be any major upheaval in the Parisian 11. Still a little doubt concerning the center forward position, or in this case false 9, with Marco Asensio and Kang-in Lee in the balance, or even Ousmane Dembélé. Although, there is suspense where we least expected it, that is to say for the goalkeeper position. “I will decide after a good cappuccino (this Wednesday) morning”smiles Luis Enrique, who made a tactical choice in favor of Matfey Safonov on Saturday. So you have to expect everything…
