This semi-final of the Champions League to the unprecedented poster pits two teams with a resolutely offensive style. But Thomas Tuchel the PSG coach and Julian Nagelsmann, his counterpart from Leipzig are also preparing a real tactical match.
The middle battle
Thomas Tuchel is convinced: “It is not the system that will make the difference. If he persists in aligning an offensive quartet with Neymar, Mbappé, Di Maria and Icardi, the PSG coach will however have to be vigilant in the midfield where Leipzig will try to block the Parisian momentum.
“Julian Nagelsmann is very good in the analysis and will want to cut the passing lines towards Neymar and Mbappé, forecasts Patrick Guillou, the consultant for Germany of BeIN Sport. He also brought high pressing and possession play this season. Leipzig is able to have a stranglehold on the ball in sequences. The team is very malleable, able to switch systems multiple times per game. "
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Parisian attackers will have an interest in being vigilant and taking care of the defensive withdrawal. “The Leipzig players defend by advancing and always think of developing offensive play, warns Tuchel. It will be a very physical game. "
Enjoy the depth
“Leipzig attacks with six or seven players, it's both dangerous for us but also for them. Ander Herrera does not hide that Paris intends to take advantage of the speed of its attackers to take their opponents against. Especially since the German rearguard is not always irreproachable in a situation of imbalance. “Defensively, they sometimes have air holes,” confirms Patrick Guillou. If the plan doesn't go as planned, they can also seem like they're giving up on the game. “With a playmaker Neymar, relying on the ability of Di Maria and Mbappé to take their vis-à-vis in the back, Paris will have an undeniable advantage.
The weight of those absent
Leipzig presents itself without its best player and top scorer Timo Werner, who transferred to Chelsea ahead of the Champions League return. “He's one of the best attackers in the world in the vertical game and against Atlético in the quarter, he missed the verticality that Nagelsmann likes to install,” continues Guillou. With Werner, he had more variety in the game. But Leipzig managed to collectively make up for this departure. "
PSG, for its part, must always do without Marco Verratti, affected in a calf but also Keylor Navas. The three-time winner of the event with Real Madrid will be replaced in the goal by Sergio Rico, only one start this season in the Champions League. Nothing to worry about Ander Herrera. “Sergio has already won two Europa League with Sevilla, recalls the Spanish midfielder. There is no debate. He has already proven that he is ready to help us. "
