Long hampered by a knee injury which kept him away from the field for almost three months, Fabián Ruiz found the light again at the most important moment of the season. His absence had even fueled all kinds of questions, with some wondering about the real duration of his unavailability and his ability to return to his best level. The first leg against Bayern Munich (5-4) left a bitter taste: having entered the game in a very exposed context, the Spaniard was singled out after the end of the match. Indeed, Paris having conceded two goals after his appearance and some of the supporters criticizing him for not having provided the expected control. But on Wednesday evening, at the Allianz Arena, the setting changed radically, starting in a strong choice from Luis Enrique, the Parisian midfielder delivered a major performance, technically accurate, clean in the duels and precious in controlling the tempo.
However, this choice of the Spanish coach was not obvious. Achraf Hakimi’s injury had forced Luis Enrique to review his plans, with the possibility of sliding Warren Zaire-Emery onto the right flank, at the risk of unbalancing the midfield. Many then imagined that Fabián Ruiz could be preserved, as his return from injury remained recent and his entry in the first leg had left doubts. Luis Enrique ultimately ruled in his favor, and the decision paid off. Facing Bayern at the Allianz Arena (1-1), the Spanish international responded with authority, participating in a first period of a very high level and giving the feeling of having rediscovered his qualities from last season. PSG no longer has any doubts: “his level depends on his first actions. His opening for “Kvara” on goal is even more important than the assist. Tactically, he is enormously rich”confided a source close to the club in the columns of The Team.
A new masterstroke from Luis Enrique
This rise in power comes at the right time for Paris, launched into a final sprint which can still offer it a new coronation in Ligue 1, starting with a victory this Sunday against Brest. Beyond the accounting issue, this return of Fabián Ruiz already weighs on the collective balance of the team: whether he is established or used during the match, the Spaniard once again becomes a major option for decisive deadlines, particularly in view of the Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30. It is also a strong signal for the Spanish selection as the World Cup approaches, as its influence in the midfield remains recognized within La Roja. Luis Enrique had already insisted on its importance at a press conference. “Fabian is an incredible player for us, important, one of the best midfielders in Europe. Every time a player is back after an injury, it’s positive.”he confided upon his return.
In the mixed zone, after PSG qualified for the final against Arsenal, Fabián Ruiz also wanted to highlight his coach in particularly laudatory words: “It’s incredible. We know Luis Enrique very well. He made an incredible team. We have been playing with him for three years, we have made a semi-final and already two C1 finals. It’s an incredible thing. We are very happy to have him as a coach and we hope that we will have him for many years to come.”. These words thus reflect Ruiz’s growing confidence within the group, he who has been able, since the arrival of Luis Enrique in the capital, to demonstrate the extent of his qualities and gradually establish himself as an indispensable element of the Parisian system.
This return takes on all the more importance as PSG faces a veritable wave of injuries in this final sprint. This Saturday morning, the club announced several physical problems: Matvey Safonov is suffering from calf pain, while Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes and Warren Zaire-Emery have joined the infirmary. Added to this are the already known absences of Quentin Ndjantou, Lucas Chevalier and Achraf Hakimi. In this context, the return of Fabián Ruiz appears to be a central element in maintaining the balance of the Parisian environment and approaching the next deadlines in the best possible conditions.
