At the Parc des Princes,
We have often discussed PSG’s Ligue 1 matches preceding the major European games, often criticized this unpleasant character trait, not to mention the upcoming deadline for Dortmund. After the victory against Nantes, Luis Enrique didn’t even hide it: his players had the lead at Signal Iduna Park. “I think everyone already had Wednesday’s match in mind,” said the Spaniard. We know it was difficult to play this match at home, because we have a match as good as the one we have in Dortmund in 4 days. » To add insult to injury, the evening’s opponent was also playing in yellow. Let’s call it the syndrome of the ex who dumped you: you do everything to put her out of your mind but every detail of everyday life makes you think of her.
The argument is as credible as it is practical, it can be used in any way. Kylian Mbappé was only good for one minute – the first, where he almost scored – well, that’s because he had the lead in Dortmund. Nothing to do with a positioning alone at the forefront which is not really convincing, which his trainer obviously denies. “He has total freedom. Is this a player who plays center forward? But it depends on each match! Kylian’s role is: freedom.” Ditto for Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan no longer puts one foot in front of the other… The Stakhanovite that he is must necessarily be salivating at the idea of battling it out among the former miners of the Ruhr. This is certainly not a sign of the end of the hype.
Put end to end, we obtain a puzzle of good excuses which allows us to erase the eternal problems of this PSG instead of wondering about the difficulties experienced by the team in getting the crowds to rise. With Enrique, it will always be positive anyway. One day, we applaud the number of chances, the other, we say to ourselves that Nantes “is good preparation for a Champions League match”.
Preparing for Dembélé’s absence at Dortmund
In view of some of his choices, it appears clear that the Parisian technician has planned for Wednesday’s trip to the Champions League to create a starting eleven against Nantes. The case of Ousmane Dembélé, who will be suspended against his former club, is a good example. “Wednesday’s match conditioned today’s, and Ousmane cannot play on Wednesday. His side is important for us because he is a unique player.” In other words, we had to practice doing without him and adapt to the Hakimi-Kang-In Lee corridor. The two men demonstrated on Saturday that they knew how to get along without making each other unforgettable.
The other strong choice obviously concerned the tenure of Bradley Barcola, two weeks after his criticized return against Newcastle and a week after his exit in the 10th minute against Le Havre because of the expulsion of Gigio Donnarumma. An option that more than paid off insofar as the former Lyonnais decided to spend the evening disguised as Ronaldinho on his left side. His first 50 minutes, punctuated by a delicious opening goal, are an ode to the purest tradition of wingers. Percussion, dribbling, deep ball calls and combinations with Vitinha, with whom he speaks the same football. It was also from a one-two with the Portuguese that PSG’s first goal was born.
“I’m really happy because I was waiting for this goal,” declared the young Parisian on the club’s channel. It’s really a pride to have registered him, even more so here at the Park, it’s great. When I received the ball, I heard Vitinha offer me a one-two, so I gave him the ball and he gave it to me. Afterwards, I left and managed to score. »
The ups and downs of Randal Kolo-Muani
Luis Enrique’s Road to Dortmund plan was nevertheless compromised by Mostafa Mohamed’s equalizer from a corner, a goal that fell from the sky whose role was to remind the impatient that Arnau Tenas will never put Donnarumma on the bench. Ousmane Dembélé finally returned, as did Marco Asensio and Randal Kolo-Muani. It is from the latter that the light will come, as often when he plays supersub. “There have been a lot of downs, it’s up to me to raise my head,” said RKM in the mixed zone. I pick her up slowly, simply concentrating on work. There is competition, we are in a big club. It’s up to me to prove myself. »
Still in goodwill, the French striker would almost give up his starting place to the other hero of the day. “It will be up to the coach to decide [qui commencera à Dortmund]. Barcola also had a very good match, he can start. Even if I scored, it doesn’t mean anything. There is a lot of quality on the bench. » Jocelyn Gourvennec is categorical, this is clearly what condemned his team. “What hurt was the return of Kolo Muani, Asensio, Zaire-Emery, Dembélé, that’s a lot. ” To meditate. Luis Enrique may be up to something to piss off Borussia.