On March 11 against Dortmund, everything will have to be changed. PSG have a good chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after their defeat on the lawn of Borussia (2-1), but they will have to rekindle a flame, find a team without Marco Verratti and without Thomas Miller, suspended, become attached to an organization and federate within an entity where solidarity is lacking. Thomas Tuchel, the coach, has several hot files to deal with before him.
The return to 4-4-2? It is the system in which Paris has been evolving since the beginning of December and in which it seems to have taken its marks even if the lack of defensive involvement of the attackers sometimes cuts the team in two. But since it is necessary to win, 1-0 or by two goals, this scheme seems the most suitable. It is the one in which Kylian Mbappé is most at ease with Mauro Icardi at his side or even Pablo Sarabia. This is how Paris had beaten Liverpool (2-1) last year in the group stage of the Champions League.
Starting in another organization would send the wrong signal, that of a coach who is afraid and thinks first of not taking a goal. The only downside: the absence of Marco Verratti forces him to rethink everything. The midfielder has a central role at PSG, linking defense and attack, capable of raking balls as well as building the game. There is no real equivalent in terms of profile in the Parisian workforce . This puzzle could lead Thomas Tuchel to rebuild his environment with three men rather than replacing the Italian post for post.
Kehrer and the unknown in the middle. The suspension of Thomas Meunier will allow Thilo Kehrer to find a place in the starting lineup, as right side. Colin Dagba, more specialist in the position than the German, could have resumed by March 11 after his knee injury but he will be too fair, question rhythm. The first leg proved it: it's a bad idea to line up players who lack competition. Kehrer has long been traumatized by his failed performance against Manchester United in March 2019 at the Parc des Princes. A year later, has it completely recovered? Some people sometimes doubt it at the club. But the solutions are not legion unless you imagine Ander Herrera taking the right flank of the defense, which he still achieved in Amiens (4-4) with a goal scored but also some guilty generosity.
In the middle, there are several solutions to support Marquinhos, which Tuchel prefers in this sector. Gana Gueye, Leandro Paredes, Ander Herrera and Julian Draxler can each replace Verratti if Paris returns to 4-4-2. No solution is completely satisfactory. Gueye still seems marked by his long summer (CAN final and few vacations), Paredes has never been good over time but only punctually, Herrera has played too few games this season to leave a good impression. But he has the experience of the Champions League. As for the German world champion, he often replaced Verratti in this position of torchbearer but he defends little and badly. With the four offensives in front, the pair of recoverers must be solid, strong in duels, capable of making an impact.
PSG Express
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Find a soul. Since the elimination against Manchester United, relations between part of the locker room and Thomas Tuchel have been strained. No more kicking your buttocks as a token of affection, touchdowns, the German coach and his troop sometimes cohabit more than they live in osmosis. There is no break but heavyweights of the team doubt their tactical abilities, are sorry for some of their principles of play and no longer have the same taste for their work as when they arrived. Wear that watches out for all the technicians in all the clubs.
His comments after the first leg, where he preferred to stigmatize their attitude than his playing options, did not bring the points of view together. Players want to qualify and they will do it first for them before they think about it. They can federate around the idea of revenge, after a first leg where they disappointed. Whatever their engine, they have to move forward together this time.