PSG – OM: the big tactical move by Luis Enrique!

Classic evening at the Parc des Princes. To close the 6th day of Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain, seventh at kick-off, welcomed Olympique de Marseille, just ahead of the Parisians before the match. A duel at the top between two historic rivals with opposing dynamics… After an explosive week marked by the resignation of Marcelino and the aborted departure of Pablo Longoria, attacked by certain groups of supporters, the Olympian club coached by Jacques Abardonado, ensuring the interim, had indeed a lot to do against a Parisian team confident of its strength. A context that could logically attract pessimism from Marseille fans, unlike Luis Enrique’s men, ready to confirm their rise in power. The outcome of this shock (4-0) can only confirm the presentiments…

Bradley Barcola, a surprising and… paying choice!

Quickly overwhelmed by the intensity of the reigning French champions, the Marseillais logically gave in to the technical accuracy and the Ile-de-France desire to make an impression. A first time on a magnificent free kick signed Achraf Hakimi (8th), although the fault leading to the opening of the score seemed light and did not fail to make the Marseille collective react. Absent from the debates, OM still suffered from a breakthrough from the Parisian number 2. At the edge of the area, Hakimi saw his shot pushed back by Pau Lopez’s post, too close. A godsend for Randal Kolo Muani who did not hesitate to score his first goal under his new colors (37th). In demonstration, PSG finally completed its success after returning from the locker room when Ousmane Dembélé found the head of Gonçalo Ramos and joined him to celebrate the Portuguese’s first achievement (47th). Far from being satisfied, the former Benfica player, perfectly served by RKM, even scored a double at the end of the match (89th).

The end of a real ordeal for OM. A definitely perfect evening for the capital club. Arriving with confidence and some certainties after the victory against Borussia Dortmund on the first day of the Champions League, PSG – led by its architect Luis Enrique – nevertheless somewhat upset its plans. Exit the 4-3-3 and make way for the modular 4-4-2 for the former La Roja coach. Surely aware of his evening opponent’s desire to close the spaces, the new Parisian coach therefore opted for two leading attackers with Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappé associated. A tactical choice which also offered Bradley Barcola his first start of the season. For the rest, the Spanish technician decided to trust the same players who won against the Marsupials. A rather new and very daring system which quickly bore fruit…

At his ease, Barcola displayed his technical class and his percussion qualities against an often overwhelmed Jonathan Clauss… In front, Mbappé (then Ramos after the Bondynois left due to injury) and Kolo Muani increased the number of trips to offer solutions to their partners. Glued to his right side, Dembélé regained his edge and his accuracy, like the caviar placed on Ramos’ head after returning from the locker room. Being able to rely on a very untroubled defense and a midfielder that remains as sovereign as ever, Luis Enrique then appreciated the spectacle (77% ball possession, 807 Parisian passes compared to only 241 for OM). The result of a perfectly thought out and terribly well executed staging. And what about the modulation planned with Achraf Hakimi…

Achraf Hakimi, a “central” element for Luis Enrique!

Right piston at kick-off, the Moroccan full-back, once again brilliant and involved in the first two goals, represents, in his own right, the great ideas of his coach. In the 4-4-2 designed by “Lucho”, the former Inter Milan player did not hesitate to enter the heart of the game to bring the surplus and bring an equally efficient 3-3-4 on numerous offensive sequences. A very nice move carried out by the new strong man of the Parisians, what’s more for such an anticipated meeting and in a context where he is seeking to put in place an attractive system over the long term. A profitable tactic quickly highlighted by Randal Kolo Muani, present at the microphone of Prime Video at the end of the meeting. “It was a magical, unforgettable evening for us and the supporters, we wanted to mark the occasion and we did it very well, we can be very proud of ourselves. The plan ? It was about playing our game, attacking the spaces well, having possession, we did it well, we had the chances and we put them in, it was a complete match. It was a good tactical plan, we had a lot of the ball and as soon as we lost it, we accelerated with this pressing directly. It’s a good thing, we did it very well and we’re proud of ourselves.”assured the former Eintracht Frankfurt scorer before tempering in the mixed zone.

“For me, it wasn’t a system with four attackers, we always played with that style, when Vitinha is there, he also sticks the line a lot, it was the same thing with Bradley (Barcola, editor’s note), we haven’t necessarily changed the style of play, it’s still the same”. Questioned, in turn, about this new device and this unprecedented eleven, Luis Enrique maintained, for his part, a certain humility, specifying in passing that this efficient formula could persist over time. “That’s what you have to do in football. If you win everything is fine, if you lose, the coach is primarily responsible. I made new choices this evening because I have a lot of quality players and I had to give some playing time. Will it last? Who knows… For me they are in any case pleasant options. (…) I don’t have anything special to explain from a tactical point of view, but I liked what we did today.”

Relaunched at a press conference, the 53-year-old Spaniard did not hesitate to get excited about the performance performed by his protégés. “We used different positions depending on our opponent. We played the most complete match since my arrival, it’s a chance that it happened during the Classic. It was a really good evening. We are getting closer to total domination of the match. Players are connected to each other. It’s really a great day for us in terms of our performance”. More than a new tactic, the former Barça coach therefore prefers to retain the animation and attitude of his players. One thing is certain, with all these possible options, Luis Enrique’s PSG can envisage a bright future. The competition has already been warned…