This is both a good thing and a danger. In recent weeks, a typical team has emerged from Paris Saint-Germain. This is the formation that was aligned in the first leg against Bayern (5-4). The problem is that as soon as an element is missing, the magic formula is less effective.
The proof with the Achraf Hakimi case. Hit in the thigh, the essential Moroccan right-back will be absent in Munich on Wednesday evening. And we do not yet know who will replace him numerically in the Parisian eleven.
Option No. 1 would consist of aligning Warren Zaire-Emery in place of Hakimi, in a full-back role that the French international has occupied a lot this season. It would then be necessary to replace “WZE” in the middle trio. Fabian Ruiz, incumbent during last year’s European campaign, emerges as a natural candidate.
The problem is that the Spaniard is nowhere near as fit as last season. He is coming off a three-month absence due to a thigh injury. In the first leg, his entry in the 64th minute (in place of a Zaire-Emery in great condition) coincided with the decline of PSG, who conceded two goals in the last half hour. And it is not certain that the 61 minutes played against Lorient on Saturday are enough to restore rhythm.
Warren Zaire-Emery, the difficult choice
What would be the other options for Luis Enrique? Leave Zaire-Emery in the middle and line up another player on the right? If it is Ilya Zabarnyi or Senny Mayulu, it will not be a gift to start on the side of the fiery Luis Diaz. Trust Private Warren in defense, and choose another environment? We saw Lucas Beraldo reveal himself in a sentry role, but it was in Ligue 1 matches where PSG had control of the pace. Otherwise, the Parisian coach can opt for Mayulu, Lee Kang-In or take Désiré Doué down a notch.
Questioned in L’Equipe, Laurent Fournier made his choice. He wouldn’t bet on Fabian Ruiz, “wounded for a long time and given the expected pace, it’s hot. » He likes the Gifted option in the middle, to put pressure on Bayern by scoring.
“But putting Beraldo in the middle also allows us to play at certain times with five at the back with Vitinha-Neves in the middle and to leave the magic three in front. So I say Beraldo. »
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