The bad news has fallen. Three days after his injury, Kylian Mbappé took new exams on Monday. Verdict? "The recovery time is about three weeks," says the medical statement from PSG. Clearly, it is now very adventurous to indulge in imagining a return of Bondy's prodigy in time to start on August 12 in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in Lisbon, against Atalanta. And this even if we know that the person concerned will do everything to reduce this time as much as possible. In any case, it is impossible to imagine him being 100% and able to start. At best, Mbappé could appear on the scoresheet, as a last resort, if the score had to be raised late in the game. On the other hand, he could apply for a possible half (August 18), or in the final (August 23). Even if again, it would probably be out of the bench. Recall that the former Monegasque has only 150 minutes in friendly matches in the legs (three matches), and 29 in an official match (PSG-ASSE, before his injury), since ... March 11, date of the last match of PSG before the interruption of the season, coronavirus obliges.
Di Maria out, there are only two of the "fantastic four" left
Problem? Angel Di Maria will also be missing against the Bergamo club. Warned in the second leg, against Dortmund (2-0), the Argentina international will be suspended on August 12. Deprived of two of his "fantastic four", and while Edinson Cavani, at the end of his contract, is now far from Paris, Thomas Tuchel will have to rack his brains before sleeping the names of his eleven holders. And especially before choosing a tactical scheme. Because without Mbappé or Di Maria, the 4-4-2 takes the lead in the wing.
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Remember that 4-4-2 has many drawbacks in terms of balance. Especially when we line up four offensive players who are actually four attackers. In 2018, in Russia, the Blues were also evolving in this pattern, but with very different player profiles, and therefore more balance. Having Blaise Matuidi or Neymar on the left is not exactly the same. In the meantime, this 4-4-2, with the “fantastic four” in front, especially allows Neymar and Kylian Mbappé to play at their preferential position, and therefore to give the best of themselves. That is enough to impose it. “There is a really good connection between 'Ney' and Kylian. It's a real strength for PSG, ”Tuchel recently emphasized. It is even THE great strength of this PSG. And it will therefore be necessary to find others to rule out Atalanta, third in the Serie A standings. Especially since Di Maria, he is the regularity man of the capital club this season. “El Fideo” scored 11 goals and delivered no less than 21 assists in 2019-20 (38 matches). Kylian Mbappé, it's 30 goals and 18 assists since the start of the season (34 matches).
Still, without Mbappé, the 4-4-2 is no longer essential. And without Di Maria, it becomes downright problematic. If he persisted in this path, Tuchel should indeed align Julian Draxler or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in his starting XI. However, the first named is not in the shape of his life, to put it mildly. His brilliant participation in the box against Barça, in 2017 (4-0), is far away. As for "Choupo" ... Despite all his good will, the Cameroonian international is too fair to claim a place in the eleven at this level of the competition.
Less talent but more balance in 4-3-3
The 3-4-3? Possible. But the 4-3-3 option could be imposed on Tuchel. A plan cut out for Neymar, the "key" to Parisian success, says the German coach. The latter could therefore align an attacking trio made up of "Ney", Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia. In the middle, Marco Verratti would find a configuration that he likes, where he is the best. Charge to Tuchel to decide who would support the little Italian, between "Gana" Gueye, Leo Paredes and Ander Herrera, even Marquinhos. On the left, Juan Bernat will play if he is fit. In the axis, it will be Thiago Silva, “Marqui” or Presnel Kimpembe. No debate in the goals, with Keylor Navas. And on the right? Hit in the hip in the final of the Coupe de France (1-0), Thilo Kehrer should only have "five to six days". No worries for August 12th. Except that the Colin Dagba hypothesis is not to be ruled out. Having a right-back labeled defensive, like Kehrer, is interesting in a hyper-offensive 4-4-2. But in a more balanced 4-3-3, the young (21) Dagba could be acclaimed for his offensive ability. Especially since Sarabia gets on her left foot.
Less talent but more balance and major players (Neymar, Verratti) in their garden, the 4-3-3 has all the arguments to seduce Thomas Tuchel for this PSG-Atalanta, if Mbappé is forfeited. It is in this pattern that Paris crushed Real, without Mbappé or Neymar (3-0). It remains to be seen whether the Rouge et Bleu could play in this configuration from Friday (9:10 p.m.), against Lyon, in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, knowing that Di Maria will be available for this part. Behind, there will still be a trial gallop before heading to Portugal, on August 5, against Sochaux (L2). We can also imagine a 3-4-3, as in Dortmund. It didn't go very well (2-1 defeat)… Thomas Tuchel's turn to play.
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