PSG was not really inspired by the tranquility of Istanbul. A week after having tripped up against Manchester United (1-2), the Parisians (finally) launched their Champions League season by winning on the field of Başakşehir (2-0). Thomas Tuchel’s men occupy second place in Group H behind Manchester who crushed Leipzig (5-0) this Wednesday evening. But the performance of the champions of France, in a stadium far from being hostile with only a dozen extras authorized to integrate the 300 privileged to be able to enter, questions however.
A trompe-l’oeil score
Reading the scoreboard does not reflect all the difficulties the Parisians had to get rid of a team supposed to be the weakest in the group. They can also thank Navas, decisive in front of Rafael (26th), Visca (57th) and Turuc (71st). “This guy is a gift for me and for the club,” Thomas Tuchel rightly rejoiced. Still, the intense pressing of the Parisian attackers lasted too short to endanger the Turkish defense in the long term. And the lack of precision in the face of the goal has long even made people fear a disastrous outcome.
The monumental rush of Mbappé (8th), his cross blocked by Topal (58), the off-target shot from Di Maria (17th, 33rd) or that above Sarabia (46th) showed the limits of an attack too often in lack of ideas without Neymar, released on injury. A lack of control that the Parisian coach continues to attribute to the sequence of the Final 8 of C1 and the start of the season. “Of course we can play better but we can accept that we can’t do it right now. It’s a phase, but there are also positive things, admits the German. It’s time to fight and win matches that are not the best in the history of PSG. “
Marquinhos, an environment that questions
It is an assumed choice of Thomas Tuchel. The German technician prefers his captain to the position of midfielder, a tactical choice and not at all dictated by his conflict with his sporting director, Leonardo. And if he has already shone in the past in this role, it is clear that the choice that the Brazilian has passed through his match. Its inaccuracies in its transmissions have never really helped to orient the Parisian game. And physically, he did not seem sovereign as we had already observed against Dijon on Saturday (4-0).
If he was not really helped by Ander Herrera, Marquinhos suffered against the compact and dense block of Başakşehir. Difficulties that do not call into question for Tuchel: “He remains in this position he held last season and which was the best in the history of the club,” recalled the Parisian coach. Danilo played with Kimpembe an extraordinary match. And for me, he is more of a defender than a midfielder because we have Marqui on the pitch. “
Moise Kean, the good surprise
Holder at the forefront of 4-4-2 alongside Kylian Mbappé, Moise Keane continues to benefit from the absence of Mauro Icardi. The Italian had played just 116 minutes in five Champions League games. He scored two goals there, donning the costume of PSG savior. A reward for the 20-year-old player who perhaps confirms the hopes placed in him very young with Juventus and who was a little lost at Everton, the English club having lent him without an option to buy to the champions of France . A good shot from Leonardo.
On a corner surprisingly taken by Mbappé, he opened the scoring with a header after defeating the marking of Epureanu (0-1, 64th) then took advantage of a ball missed by the French world champion to control and score. a recovery in pivot (0-2, 79th). A double that comes four days after his first two goals scored in L1 against Nîmes (4-0). “It’s great for him to have the opportunity to start in the Champions League,” Tuchel rejoices. He hardly played last season and that also perhaps explains why he’s playing like it’s the game of his life until the last minute. “
Article original de: www.leparisien.fr
