While Paris Saint-Germain experienced a solid test against AS Monaco this weekend, during the 24th day of Ligue 1, despite the goalless score between the two teams (0-0), the time has come time to focus on upcoming European deadlines. Indeed, after beating Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes (2-0), the Rouge et Bleu will travel to the Anoeta stadium for the return match, in the round of 16 of the Champions League. A duel with a qualifying ticket for the quarters at stake which would be a good way to calm down the somewhat turbulent Parisian news in recent weeks. But two days before this confrontation between the Spaniards and the French, some questions still remain regarding the composition of the Parisian coach, Luis Enrique, accustomed to creating small surprises in his compositions.
“Our goal is to go to San Sebastián, Spain, my home country, to try to come back with a smile. I told them before the match that this match had similarities with Real Sociedad, because the individual quality of the players is very high, the individual quality of the Monaco team is very high and Real Sociedad is a League team of Champions who is used to playing matches of this type. It will be a complicated match in San Sebastián because of what it means to play a return match against an opponent who is behind on the scoreboard and who has to take a lot of risks.said the tactician native of Gijon, after the draw against Monaco.
The spotlight on Mbappé
On the bench against FC Nantes, released in the 65th minute against Rennes and at half-time against Monaco, the management of Kylian Mbappé has been questioning since he announced to his teammates and his managers his future signing for Real Madrid, as we announced to you exclusively on January 7. There hasn’t been a connection between Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappé for a while. Sources at the club even claim that in private, they can no longer stand each other, without there having been any verbal or physical confrontation. But since then, the two men have spoken to each other on Saturday morning and the Spanish manager considered that his player is different physically since the match against Brest on February 7 and the big sole of Lilian Brassier: “Sooner or later, we will have to get used to playing without Kylian. It’s just about handling a situation the way I think is best for the team.”hammered the Spanish coach several times in recent days.
Against Real Sociedad, the presence of Kylian Mbappé in the starting eleven should be a formality, while Bradley Barcola And Ousmane Dembélé will hold their respective flanks. The classic attacking trio, which Luis Enrique has renewed numerous times in recent months, should hold their ranks well on the pitch at the Anoeta stadium. “Even if you are tired, I will make you play”, the Parisian coach would have said smilingly to Mbappé Another new surprise from Luis Enrique, the Bondyn striker will be well aligned at the forefront of the Parisian offensive lines. But be careful, last minute surprises are always possible with Luis Enrique, while the Spanish coach reiterated again this weekend that he would continue, in the months to come, to try to build a successful team without the number 7 .
A surprise in defense?
This is the position that has suffered the most from injuries this season at Paris Saint-Germain. While Presnel Kimpembe and Milan Škriniar are still absent until the end of the season, Brazilian defender and captain Marquinhos is still suffering from a slight physical problem in his calf since February 17 and has missed PSG’s last two matches. (Monaco, Rennes). Regarding Danilo Pereira, the Portuguese international felt muscle discomfort in his thigh during his team’s final training session, on the eve of the clash against Monaco and did not make the trip to the Principality. . According to the latest information, although they are in poor physical shape, the two Portuguese-speaking defenders will be fit and present in the group. However, it remains to be seen what the final choices made by Luis Enrique will be.
If the tenures of Lucas Hernandez and D’Achraf Hakimi are almost confirmed, there are two places left to take: one in the central hinge and a last one on the left side (if the French defender were to be aligned in the axis). Back from injury, Nuno Mendes could well celebrate his first start, more than a year and a half after his serious injury during the World Cup in Qatar. In the axis, several options are available to Luis Enrique: renew the duo Nordi Mukiele / Lucas Beraldo like against Monaco or choose one of the two to complete the central hinge in the event that Lucas Hernandez is aligned in central hinge or that Marquinhos and Danilo are judged totally fit after the final physical tests which they will pass on Monday according to our colleagues at Parisian. The last training sessions will be decisive.
The eternal questions of the environment
Always complicated to guess the trident of the Parisian midfield, as Luis Enrique makes real changes between four main players. Starting from the principle that Warren Zaire-Emery And Fabian Ruiz were left to rest against Monaco, the two players, who did not even come into play during the match, could well find their way back to the starting lineup against Real Sociedad on Tuesday evening. The last spot in the middle should therefore be taken by Manuel Ugarte or Vitinha. Given the respective minutes and the growing status of the Portuguese, it is difficult to imagine any player other than the former FC Porto nugget starting on the Basque pitch in the Champions League. Back in shape, the Uruguayan could nevertheless be the last minute surprise guest in the starting lineup in place of Ruiz or WZE. A lot of uncertainty therefore still resides in the Parisian environment.
If the questions are currently unanswered, Luis Enrique will give his first indications tomorrow, during the traditional pre-match press conference which will take place in the duplex of San Sebastián in Spain, then will quickly come this long-awaited duel between Parisians and Basques Tuesday evening. Paris Saint-Germain will do everything to avoid another traumatic disappointment in a direct elimination return match. In any case, the Capital club has a small lead on the scoreboard which will have to be consolidated quickly to nip in the bud all the hopes of Real Sociedad.
