“There is a context for (Milan) Škriniar and Manuel Ugarte (who left for Manchester United). There was a change in the project last season, a new way of playing. Škriniar remains one of the best central defenders in European football. It has been a difficult year, with two injuries that have prevented him from reaching the expected level. We all count on Škriniar and we all expect Škriniar to play at his level again. And what we expect and demand is that he plays at his level again and makes a strong contribution to PSG’s 2024-25 campaign.”This is what Luis Campos said at the Thinking Football Summit, held in Porto.
Milan Škriniar, boss size!
And what can we say, except that the performance achieved by Milan Škriniar against Stade Brestois (3-1) will certainly confirm the Parisian sports advisor in his hopes. Lined up alongside Lucas Beraldo in the 4-3-3 concocted by Luis Enrique, the 29-year-old defender took advantage of the absences of Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe, injured, but also those of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, preserved, to celebrate his first start of the season. After a convincing international break and 180 minutes played in the Slovakian jersey, the native of Žiar nad Hronom has, indeed, seized his chance.
Applied in the duels, especially aerial ones against Ludovic Ajorque, the number 37 of PSG generally held his rank perfectly. Often criticized since his arrival in the French capital, the former Inter Milan player, this time, brought a certain serenity. Perfect in anticipation, comfortable with the ball at his feet and authoritative in the duel (5/8), the one whose contract runs until June 2028 ultimately never gave in to the Ty’ Zefs’ offensives. A visual impression also confirmed in the figures: 95% of precise passes, 3 clearances, 3 ground duels won, 2 aerial duels won, 7 balls recovered.
A card to play in the coming months?
Asked about his protégé, Luis Enrique did not hide his satisfaction. “For me, he played very well. He is in good shape, captain of his national team. He played fairly, very strong in the duels, he created gaps, so for me it’s a 10/10”judged the former Barça coach in a press conference. Strong words that will not fail to comfort the Slovakian international (74 caps, 3 goals), announced on the way out for several weeks. In the sights of Al-Nassr and many European teams during the summer transfer window, the 1m88 right-hander, pushed towards the exit, finally stayed in the French capital.
While it will now be necessary to repeat this type of performance to claim a more important role in the axis of the Parisian defense, Milan Škriniar has in any case proven that he could constitute a reliable alternative. A good omen for the reigning French champions, at a time when Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe are still on the sidelines. This news is all the more reassuring given the Parisians’ overloaded schedule during this 2024-2025 season. Against Girona, on Wednesday evening, the Slovak should logically find his place on the substitutes’ bench with the returns of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. No matter. His performance against SB29 – considered by many observers to be the most accomplished since his debut in Paris – adds to the many Parisian satisfactions at the start of the season…
