The pressure rises for PSG at the dawn of this last group phase meeting against the Seattle Sounders, where victory is imperative to open the door of the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. After a disappointing performance against Botafogo, Luis Enrique chose to operate several rotations, betting on the freshness and depth of its workforce. But it is above all a major absence that draws attention, proof that the Spanish coach does not hesitate to make strong decisions in a crucial moment.
Because it is Vitinha, a true conductor of the Parisian midfield since the start of the competition, which begins this evening on the bench. A choice that challenges, so much the Portuguese has established itself as one of the essential elements of the team in recent months. But after two trying meetings under the Californian heat wave, the coach preferred to spare him, betting on his ability to make the difference in the upcoming cleaks. Instead of Vitinha, it is the South Korean Kang in-Lee who inherits the keys in the middle, accompanied by Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
Unexpected turnover in the middle and in attack
The surprise does not stop there, since Warren Zaïre-Emery, an indisputable holder at the start of the season, also takes place on the bench. This news gives testifies to a moving hierarchy at PSG, where each performance can rebound the cards. If patients patient, it is experience that is privileged to face a team from Seattle deemed athletic and disciplined.
Thunderbolt: Vitinha on the bench against Seattle
In defense, Luis Enrique trusts the Brazilian duo Marquinhos-Beraldo in the axis, with Nuno Mendes on the left and Hakimi on the right, while Donnarumma keeps his place in the goals. William Pacho, also spared, gives way to preserve a competitive workforce over the duration of the tournament.
In attack, no surprises on the wings: Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué frame Gonzalo Ramos, tenured at the forefront despite recurring criticisms on its effectiveness. The Portuguese plays Gros, he who struggles to silence his detractors and sees this meeting as a possible chance of establishing himself as number one in front. Ousmane Dembélé, returning to training, will have to wait, while Kvaratskhelia starts on the bench as part of a preventive rotation.
A competitive PSG team despite everything
This eleven, far from being the most classic, demonstrates Luis Enrique's desire to instill competition and keep his frames fresh for the future. He hopes that this turnover will be an opportunity to provoke a pride reaction after defeat against Botafogo. Qualification is no longer an option: Paris must impose itself so as not to depend on the result of Atlético-Botafogo. A task within the reach of this team, provided you find intensity, rigor and efficiency in front of the goal.
This match against Seattle therefore sounds like a test of character for Parisians, where each aligned player will have to prove that he deserves his place, regardless of his status. Luis Enrique repeated it: in Paris, there are no indisputable holders. Tonight, the time is in the collective demonstration and the reconquest of a positive dynamic to approach the rest of the tournament with ambition.
