14 goals conceded in Ligue 1 in 2020. Of which 9 in his last three outings in the league. Despite the status of a champion of France in power, the Paris SG has nonetheless had a dunce rearguard for the past few weeks. With multiple and varied concerns. Thiago Silva's right thigh injury against Bordeaux (4-3), who took him away from the field for at least three weeks, thus undermined one of the certainties of Thomas Tuchel. A certainty criticized by some because of the last performances, often worrying, of the Auriverde, far from being radiant against the Girondins or, worse, at Amiens the previous week (4-4). However, his status as captain and the absences of Abdou Diallo or Dagba made his presence almost indispensable.
Benchmarks to find for Marquinhos
Today, when he has made Marquinhos a key element of his environment, Tuchel could be tempted to replace him in central defense, his training position. "It's a possibility," said the PSG coach on Friday at a press conference. "I really like when he plays in the midfield, but in my opinion he has the ability to help and play on the field." Indeed, against the young Abdou Diallo and Tanguy Kouassi, the Brazilian presents the best CV to contain Borussia Dortmund during the 8th final return of the Champions League scheduled on March 11. Because it is this match that is in everyone's mind, and not the reception this Saturday of Dijon which should only serve as simple preparation for a rear guard who must find waterproofness. You have to go back to February 1 and the reception in Montpellier to find a trace of a Parisian “clean sheet” (5-0). Since then, even Keylor Navas, which had previously performed very well, has shown some signs of weakness.
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We must also see how Marquinhos will be able to readjust alongside Presnel Kimpembe in the central hinge. His last tenure in this role in Ligue 1 had not been reassuring, against Monaco (3-3) in January. "To be the best defender in the world, you must above all play at your post to continue to have benchmarks," explained the AFP Brazilian last November. He will only have two matches to refine his bearings with Kimpembe, since he is suspended for the semi-final of the Coupe de France in Lyon on Wednesday. In other words, the reception in Dijon takes on unexpected importance in this sector. Faced with the 17th attack of Ligue 1, deprived moreover of one of his men in form, Mounir Chouiar, injured, who had scored the only Burgundian goal in the Coupe de France on February 12 (1-6), the Parisian defense must find serenity and benchmarks before diving into the Champions League.
Read also
- Ligue 1 ranking
