With an advance of two goals (3-1 victory in the first leg), Paris Saint-Germain approaches the quarter-final return from the Champions League to Villa Park with a certain serenity, but without excess of confidence. Luis Enrique knows that Aston Villa, pushed by his audience, will throw all his strength into the battle to reverse the situation. If the Parisian composition seems to be taking shape quite clearly in most sectors, with in particular the expected return of Marquinhos in defense and a midfielder which should be renewed, a major question remains concerning the line of attack. Alongside the almost indisputable Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who of Bradley Barcola or Délé Doué will start? The Spanish coach would have decided this dilemma.
Favorite Barcola for her speed? The trend emerges
According to information reported by The ParisianLuis Enrique would have made his choice and would lean to tenure Bradley Barcola on the left wing of the attack. Left on the bench during the first leg at the Parc des Princes, the former Lyonnais could this time have the preference of the Parisian staff for a very specific tactical reason. Faced with a team from Aston Villa which will be forced to discover and attack to redo its delay, the dazzling speed of Barcola in transition and its ability to exploit spaces in the back of English defense would be considered a formidable weapon to hurt against.
Désiré Goué sacrificed against Aston Villa?
Gifted, the luxury joker in great shape?
If the trend seems to go towards Barcola, spreading desired gifted with the starting eleven would not be a trivial decision. The former Rennais, goalscorer, has been working on the water for several weeks, as evidenced by his title of best player in March in Ligue 1. his profile, different from that of Barcola, with his ability to make differences in small spaces and his technical quality, offered another credible option to Luis Enrique. Its non-turning would mean that the Spanish coach may consider him as an ideal impact player at the end of the bench for the second period.
Classic for the rest of the eleven
For the rest, few surprises are expected. Marquinhos' suspension return should see him resume his place in a central hinge, probably alongside Lucas Hernandez. In the middle, except huge surprise, the Joao Neves – Vitinha – Fabian Ruiz trio, very complementary, should be renewed to master the midfield. However, beware of Fabian Ruiz, under the threat of a suspension for a possible semi-final to go in the event of a warning to Villa Park. In front, DembĂ©lĂ© and Kvaratskhelia are expected to animate the wings and the axis around Barcola.
A tactical choice while waiting for confirmation
By favoring, in all likelihood, the speed of Bradley Barcola with the sparkling form of Désiré Goué, Luis Enrique seems to make a strong tactical choice, specifically adapted to the expected scenario of this return match. A decision that once again shows its ability to adapt its team and use the depth of its bench. It remains to wait for the official confirmation of this composition, but the message sent would be clear: Paris comes to exploit the spaces and hurt against.
The probable eleven of PSG: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap.), Pacho, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz – Barcola, DembĂ©lĂ©, Kvaratskhelia.
