The first big meeting of the season. Hooked by Lorient and Toulouse during their first two outings, Paris Saint-Germain challenged RC Lens on Saturday evening on the occasion of the 3rd day of Ligue 1. A shock finally won 3 goals to 1 thanks to the double of their hero , Kylian Mbappé, and Marco Asensio’s first goal in his new colors. A precious success allowing Luis Enrique’s men to dispel emerging doubts and move up to fourth place in the standings. A Champions League-style confrontation where the Rouge et Bleu midfielder particularly shined.
Manuel Ugarte, the missing link!
Aligned in 4-3-3, the capital club has, in fact, regularly relied on its midfield trident: Manuel Ugarte, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha. In different styles, the three Parisian stars thus sublimated this shock despite a promising first act of the Sang et Or. Accomplices, dazzling in the duel, precious in their projection and inspired in the construction of the game, the three Parisian players gradually the artesian environment, composed of Salis Abdul Samed and Andy Diouf at kick-off. Symbol of a successful performance, the capital performance made by a certain Manuel Ugarte, already amazing against Hake and against Toulouse. Arrived from Sporting CP during the summer, the 22-year-old Uruguayan international (8 caps) already appears to be the missing link in this Parisian formation.
On all fronts, the native of Montevideo has once again proven all his qualities. Intractable in the physical fight (11 duels won out of the 16 disputed) and oh so important for the balance of the team (11 balls recovered), the one who sees his contract running until June 2028 in the City of Lights has enlightened the game of his. Precise in his transmissions, bluffing on a few well-felt openings, Ugarte quite simply dictated his law, raking long, wide and across the lawn of the Parc des Princes. An XXL match inevitably welcomed by his coach at the end of the meeting. “I think the public took advantage of this player who recovers the ball, he made a lot of recoveries in the opposing camp but also when we were defending, he is very important for the team”recognized the former coach of La Roja.
Vitinha, the technical touch!
Asked about his impact against the Blood and Gold, the man with 35 balls recovered in just 3 small meetings, for his part, recognized that he adapted perfectly to his new environment. “I am very happy and feel very comfortable. More and more comfortable. I’m very happy here, it’s a great team to play with. Thanks to my teammates, the technical staff, the club and the city, I believe that a team is being born and today we demonstrated it. The atmosphere was incredible. Truly unbelievable. We had a big game and we dominated a big part of the game against a big team. We had a great game but we can play even better.analyzed, in this sense, Ugarte before congratulating his two friends in the midfield.
“It’s incredible ! They are two players with a lot of quality, with a lot of intensity. It’s a pleasure to play with them and I think we had a great game today.”. And for good reason. If the Uruguayan, credited with a 7 by the FM editorial staff, delivered a match of very high standard, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha were not left out either. In the absence of Marco Verratti, still announced on departure, the 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder also showed himself to his advantage. A little further up the field, sometimes very off-centre at the request of his coach, the former FC Porto star was in tune with his teammates. With 8 duels won and 7 balls recovered in midfield, he also proved all his qualities in percussion and elimination by dribbling. Symbol of this permanent projection, it is he who is at the origin of the opening of the score of Marco Asensio with a fast ball exit and a one-two with Mbappé (44th).
Warren Zaire-Emery, the darling of the Park!
“Obviously I would always like it to happen like this. What has not been lacking is the temperament. What I liked the most in this match is the audacity of the players, in particular. When we were faced with very high pressure from Lens, I found my players very courageous, because a lot of low balls were played inside. And, against a team that defends very well, we created a lot of chances. I am particularly happy with our presence in the opposing midfield in the second half. I am very happy, what I see are players committed from the start, players who trust me, and players who want to achieve what I ask. But all of that takes time to mature.confided Luis Enrique, delighted by the performance of his players against the Blood and Gold. And what about the young Parisian titi Warren Zaire-Emery…
Holder in power under the orders of the new Ile-de-France coach, the French midfielder of only 17 years old asserts himself, a little more, as one of the most promising talents of his generation. As solid as his two companions in the midfield (7 duels won out of 11, 6 balls recovered and 1 interception) WZE, decisive passer on the first goal, thus largely contributed to the technical domination of his team. “Zaire-Emery, I adore him, without a doubt, he is an incredible player. He is 17 years old, he has everything to become one of the most important elements of the workforce. He is a very hard-working, very technical player. I am lucky to have a diamond in the rough”, recognized Luis Enrique, amazed by the qualities of his protege. Present in the mixed zone, the interested party preferred to keep a measured speech despite a first-class performance. “I have to improve everywhere”thus launched WZE before underlining the good agreement with its partners of the evening.
“I have very good circles by my side. I think of Manu (Ugarte), he is crazy (laughs). He collects too many balloons. It is a great pleasure to play with him and Vitinha”. Complimentary to his trainer: “He is a very good coach, he is close to us. He gives us video sessions, he interviews us. He is there for us. He wants us to be able to create a relationship quickly., Zaire-Emery seems, in any case, to draw a bright future in the French capital. Acclaimed on his outing five minutes from time, the Park darling did not fail to thank his admirers at the final whistle. Equipped with a megaphone, the native of Montreuil then concluded this perfect evening alongside the Collectif Ultras Paris, prouder than ever of his young nugget. One thing is certain, with a trio at this level, Luis Enrique has perhaps already found the right formula for his 2023-2024 midfielder.
