Surprise, propose, innovate, change, adapt… Here are all the qualifiers specific to Luis Enrique since his arrival in the French capital. Sometimes annoyed, often annoying – especially for journalists – the Spanish technician leaves no one indifferent. Tuesday evening, in the heated atmosphere of San Sebastián, the new strong man of the reigning French champions has, in any case, proven that his method – as much discussed as it may be – is paying off, and this in all respects. From his cold communication on the Mbappé case, allowing the latter to offer Parisian supporters a burst of pride, to his tactical choices, like Ousmane Dembélé placed back in the axis, through his management of his collective but also unforeseen events, the former coach of La Roja is and will inexorably remain one of the great architects of the qualification of the Rouge et Bleu, acquired against Real Sociedad this Tuesday, March 5 in the evening (2-1 victory , 2-0 in the first leg).
An unprecedented defense, Nuno Mendes holder
While some promised hell to the Parisians while others speculated on a possible new comeback, Paris Saint-Germain, never worried by a disappointing Real Sociedad, finally quickly put an end to the relative pre-match suspense. Supported by its providential man, Kylian Mbappé, the capital club has done the work to secure a place among the eight best teams in Europe. In addition to the individual performance, once again sparkling, of the Bondynois, it is the Spanish technician’s ability to adapt which has challenged many observers. “Deprived” of Danilo and Marquinhos, still too soon after his calf injury against Nantes, the former Barça coach first took his responsibilities by deciding to field an experimental defense. Alongside Lucas Hernandez, aligned on the right side of the central Parisian hinge, the 53-year-old Spaniard decided to renew his confidence in Lucas Beraldo, recruited this winter.
A choice ultimately paying off in view of the XXL performance produced by Auriverde, recently called up with the Seleção. If some will highlight the offensive weakness of the Basque players, the former São Paulo player showed serenity at all times, despite his 20 springs (9 duels won out of 14 contested, 7 balls recovered and 3 interceptions). In his wake, Nuno Mendes – who, like his first delicate period, still lacks rhythm – has not made any big mistakes. If his tenure could surprise more than one and his offensive impact against Real Sociedad remains insufficient (he is still at the start of the action leading to the second Parisian goal) he nevertheless muzzled Takefusa Kubo rather well. Credited with a 5 by the FM editorial team, the Portuguese international will, in any case, be able to use this shock at the top to return to his highest level in the weeks to come. If Luis Enrique therefore stood out for his choices, more or less constrained, made in the defensive sector, his tactical adjustments made in the midfield are also worth highlighting.
Ousmane Dembélé, the tactical X factor
Facing Real Sociedad, a team against whom he had until then lost three times in five trips, the native of Gijón asked Ousmane Dembélé to play the role of a playmaker, sometimes very far back on the pitch. ground. As a reminder, at the start of the season and among the systems studied, the idea of seeing the former Blaugrana player evolve into number 10 was mentioned. Leaving his usual lane, the French international, very available, free to move and decisive passer on the opening score, then allowed his team to maintain a numerical superiority in the midfield. The opportunity, moreover, for Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and even Warren Zaire-Emery to offer themselves some offensive climbs. At the microphone of Canal +the Parisian Titi underlined, in this respect, the impact of his coach on the appearance of this meeting. “We prepared well for the match. It was the coach’s idea to put Ousmane in the middle, he is on the inside and we are on the sides. It helped us win this match.. “We had a clear game plan. We didn’t get into any major difficulty.”, added Kylian Mbappé. Laudatory remarks also made by Vitinha in the mixed zone.
“That’s the key to the match, we always had superiority in the middle and it was important to have control of the match with the ball. Real Sociedad are not as good without the ball as they are with the ball and so are we so it’s better to have the ball and I think that was the key to the match, to have possession. We did that until halfway through the second half and after that it’s normal, Real Sociedad, trailing by two goals, at home, they pushed a little more and unfortunately we conceded a goal but it was a great match and a great qualification”, affirmed the Portuguese with 14 selections. Praised by his players, Luis Enrique preferred to return the favor. “We coaches always try to find solutions. Afterwards, it’s up to the players to apply it. They are the ones who played well. They were at a very high level today, all of them. Very united in defense, very precise in attack. We had a very interesting double confrontation”recognized the Iberian to the journalists.
Kylian Mbappé, symbol of daring but profitable management…
Inspired when establishing his game plan and praised for his vision at the final whistle, Luis Enrique then benefited from the tender words of his president, Nasser al-Khelaïfi. “We played at a very high level. I’ve never seen a game like tonight, everyone was playing for each other. We are the youngest team at the start. Today I saw a team playing together, doing what the coach wants, it’s a very good match for everyone.. More than his tactical choices, the replacement of Kylian Mbappé in the left lane is also part of it, the coach of the Rouge et Bleu also convinced in his management of the squad. Determined to preserve Dembélé, Barcola and even Hakimi, suspended for the upcoming quarter-final, the Parisian architect was not mistaken in his coaching either. Entering at the break, Kang-in Lee was also decisive, shortly before the hour mark, by sending Mbappé into orbit. Relevant in many ways, Luis Enrique will also have been relevant with Kylian Mbappé.
Firm in his way of communicating and refusing to give in to panic, he finally pushed the 2018 world champion to his limits against the Txuri-urdinax. After starting on the bench, two exits during the match and an explanation of the text to put things straight, the Parisian number 7 had, in fact, no other choice than to prove that he would always be at appointment. A daring management but, here too, validated by the highest Parisian circles. “The coach, he decides, it’s his decision, we are with him and behind him. The most important thing is the team, it’s PSG. Kylian had a great match, we are proud of him, he scored two goals, with a real team”, added Nasser al-Khelaïfi, visibly seduced by the work carried out by the Spaniard. And for good reason, if the Rouge et Bleu produced, on Tuesday evening, one of the most serious copies since the start of the season, Luis Enrique is far from being a stranger…
