"For me, it's a gift to have a player like that". Signed Thomas Tuchel. And it's not about Neymar or Kylian Mbappé, even if the two phenomena are also regularly entitled to the praise of their trainer. The gift is Angel Di Maria. “I had seen his matches during the conquest of the 2014 Champions League, with Real. He had been a key man in this victory, the German coach said at the start of 2019. I am a big fan of his mentality and his quality. " Do not throw any more. Thomas Tuchel adores Angel Di Maria. And the latter pays him back. On alternating current and especially often confined to a role of luxury replacement behind the MCN (Mbappé, Cavani, Neymar) before his arrival, under Unai Emery, the Argentinian international immediately found a place of choice in the eleven. Even if it means pushing the walls and aligning it a bit anywhere, with a left piston for example, or inventing a 4-4-2 that looks like 4-2-4. A scheme which aims in particular to put Neymar and Mbappé in the best possible conditions, but also to allow Di Maria to play. Confidence of the former Real Madrid quickly returned to his coach.
Suspended against Atalanta, operational for Leipzig
Decisive, brilliant and consistent at the same time, the native of Rosario has never been so strong. And besides, he is rarely injured. What is not so common among the Parisian workforce ... In 2019-20 alone, he has a record of 11 goals and 21 assists, in 39 matches. So to say that his absence was noticed against Atalanta (2-1) is an understatement… Warned against Dortmund (2-0) on March 11, he was indeed suspended for this quarter-final. Here he is operational to face the Red Bulls of Leipzig, during the first of two Franco-German duels on the menu in these half of the Champions League vintage 2020.
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No doubt he will not take long to find his bearings with his teammates, that he will not be impressed by the stake, he who has already raised the C1 and that he will not be disoriented at the Estadio either. da Luz, he who began his European career at Benfica, between 2010 and 2014 (117 matches, 15 goals, 27 assists), before heading to Madrid. Like at home, in all areas. His ability to provoke one on one, to light up the game by passing or to get out of the opposing pressing will be all assets at the disposal of Thomas Tuchel, and which obviously lacked last Wednesday. Especially since Paris also had to do without Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappé at kick-off, the latter having entered on time. With the result and the impact that we know… Even for PSG, even with Neymar, that's a lot of talent on the bench or in the stands all at once… Note that Mbappé will play this Tuesday, probably starting. Not Verratti, still fair. “He's a particularly decisive player,” notes Ander Herrera. He has scored a lot of important goals with the club. He won the C1. He played at Benfica. He's an important player. ”
"We are confident because we have a lot of players who can play and change the course of a match"
But this is obviously not the only one. “We have the possibility of playing in different systems, with different players,” continues the Spaniard. We have played with three defenders, 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 since the start of the season. We have a lot of players, a lot of possibilities. It's fantastic for us and it's hard for the opponents to prepare. It's not just Di Maria. I also think Kylian Mbappé will be ready to help. Neymar had an incredible game against Atalanta Bergamo. "Choupo" decided the fate of the match. We can have confidence in Pablo Sarabia ... We are very confident and respectful at the same time. But yes, confident, because we have a lot of players who can play and change the course of a match. "
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Angel Di Maria will be one of those for sure. And this is in large part thanks to the skill and management of Thomas Tuchel. “There are players who don't need a very close coach, who play with a lot of confidence almost on their own. "Fide" must have a close and honest relationship, that he can really feel the trust, "said the German coach. It's good for everyone, Di Maria, Tuchel and therefore Paris.
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