The ambitious 4-2-4 renewed by Luis Enrique on Wednesday at Newcastle earned the PSG coach very strong criticism, his choice being considered incomprehensible.
No offense to Gonçalo Ramos, PSG experienced a nightmare evening on the pitch at St James’ Park on Wednesday. Weighed down from the outset by a big mistake from Marquinhos at the origin of the first goal scored by Newcastle, the capital club lost 4-1 at the end of a match controlled by the Magpies. Eddie Howe’s players showed more desire and dominated the proceedings in midfield.
And for many, their task was made easier by the choice of Luis Enrique to renew his 4-2-4 with only Warren Zaire-Emery and Manuel Ugarte in the midfield while Kylian Mbappé, Gonçalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé were lined up together at the forefront. A tactical option which had worked against Olympique de Marseille but had already shown its limits on Saturday in Clermont, the French champions conceding many chances.
” That makes no sense, said Daniel Riolo, after the match, at the microphone of RMC. Which team in Europe plays like that? This system is shit, it’s rubbish. Nobody plays like that. Not only does he align this system at the start and the PSG midfielder is taking on water from all sides. But when he can adjust along the way, he shows us that he won’t change. He sends us all off by saying ‘I’m right, because I’m a genius’. Misunderstood geniuses are something I can’t stand. »
Asked about this tactical choice, Luis Enrique actually remained straight in his boots. “I thought it was the best and I still think so,” he blurted out, adding: “I’m the coach, I have to decide.”
