Approaching the first leg semi-final of the Champions League between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled for April 29, Bixente Lizarazu delivered his analysis of the key keys. For the former left side of the French team, the French champions will imperatively have to take control of the midfielder while displaying real defensive solidity if they want to hope to prevail.
“There is always a tactical and collective balance of power. So I think it will be the battle of the environment, for the possession of the ball ”he explained in
Telefoot. “Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta like to have the ball. We could see him against Aston Villa, when they lost control of the ball in the second period, PSG completely panicked. So I think that for Luis Enrique, it is particularly important to keep defensive stability. In this fight, Parisian circles will have to be efficient. »»
Mendes and saka expected
Lizarazu also insisted on another determining factor, the individual duels, including that between Bukayo Saka, the right winger of Arsenal, and Nuno Mendes, the Parisian left side.
“There is also the influence of Declan Rice, it will be necessary to hold the middle of Arsenal. Individual power relationships will be very important, because sometimes it just changes on that. There it could be the duel between Nuno Mendes and Saka who will give the tempo of this match ”announced the 1998 world champion, not without mentioning the importance of stopped kicks, the strong point of the Gunners but Achilles heel of PSG.
After this first act at the Emirates Stadium, the Parisians will receive the Gunners at the Parc des Princes on May 7. As a reminder, during their previous confrontation in the league phase, the English won 2-0 last October.
