PSG’s stunning victory on AS Monaco’s pitch (3-2) in the first leg of the Champions League play-off will go down as a spectacular success… but also as a serious defensive warning signal. Because before the reaction of pride and the Parisian comeback, the European champions offered a first quarter of an hour unworthy of their status. In an already tense context after the defeat in Rennes and the recent internal turmoil, this trip to the Rock was to serve as a collective response. He first exposed all the fragilities of a bloc supposed to be one of the strongest on the continent. From 57 seconds on, excitement set in with a failed restart, a late replacement, and non-existent marking… This is how Folarin Balogun appeared to open the scoring. The scenario repeated itself in the 18th minute with disconcerting ease, largely due to poorly managed depth and a captain overwhelmed in the race. No coverage, and the American attacker scored a double.
In the space of a few minutes, the Parisian defense gave the impression of defending in permanent numerical inferiority, incapable of absorbing opposing transitions despite largely favorable possession. The contrast was stark between PSG’s territorial domination and its vulnerability as soon as Monaco crossed the halfway line. This initial shipwreck forced the entire Parisian bloc into immediate self-criticism. Marquinhos did not shirk responsibility, speaking in the mixed zone after the meeting “some errors in the dry cleaning” and coverage failures that threw everything out of balance. Same tone among goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, exposed in spite of himself by the generosity in front of him: “ it’s difficult to explain what happened. It wasn’t our plan, but we were able to show our character. » A sentence that perfectly sums up the Parisian evening. Lost defensively at the start, the Parisians were subsequently impeccable mentally.
Luis Enrique wants to hold back the start
Because if the defense bordered on the ridiculous at the start, it gradually reorganized itself after half an hour of play, helped by the collective reaction and the entry of sharper players. PSG then tightened the lines, better coordinated their pressing and limited the spaces between their centrals and full-backs. This tactical correction coincided with the shift in the match “We are one of the best defensive teams in the Champions League, statistics can show that. But football is special. We started in the worst possible way, conceding a goal in the first minute. They score on their second opportunity. Afterwards, it became such a different match, which we managed to overcome. I would especially like to salute our supporters. I have never seen supporters of this level, as a player or coach. I heard them all the time even when we were losing 2-0. Normally when a team loses, the fans start to whistle. On the contrary, our supporters are there all the time. They are incredible. I would like to dedicate this victory to them”analyzed Luis Enrique at a press conference. Less exposed, the rearguard allowed the offensive block to establish a constant siege in the Monegasque half.
But this start should not mask the initial warning, because at this level of competition, conceding two goals in the first two opposing incursions is as much a structural defect as an accident. Faithful to his line of conduct, Luis Enrique wanted to publicly defend his players. The Spaniard recalled that his team is statistically one of the best defenses in Ligue 1 and Europe, believing that the two Monegasque actions were extremely difficult to contain. A logical exit to protect his group, but which does not erase the images of a disjointed defense, incapable of managing depth, timing and communication in the first minutes. “The match changed with the expulsion of Golovin and after this card we had a lot of chances, because they defended in a low block. It’s a shame not to have scored a fourth goal. We had chances, we were able to score. I’m happy with the result considering how the match started. But there is still the match in Paris, it will be complicated. That will be another story. » PSG have proven that they know how to react and turn around a poorly started match, but now the capital club must prove that they can avoid getting into it themselves, because at this level, not all opponents will offer a second chance.
