Başakşehir-PSG: Thomas Tuchel travels under high tension

Miraculous for some, stunning for others, “the Window of the Orient” will not fail in its reputation.

Whatever happens, whether it is strong on the Bosphorus or everything collapses in Istanbul, Thomas Tuchel will take with him a little of what makes the Turkish capital so unique when it comes time to head back to Paris.

Eight days after his failed entry at the Parc des Princes against Manchester United (1-2), it is a meeting under high tension, of those who weaken you or inflate you, who awaits the coach of PSG for the return of his family on the European scene this Wednesday evening, 6:55 pm in France, ahead of Başakşehir, the Turkish champion.

Failing to have really felt the effects of the Franco-Turkish diplomatic tensions since the arrival of the PSG in Istanbul on Tuesday noon, Thomas Tuchel could not however ignore the strong reactions caused by his choices in recent days.

As if seeing the Reds Devils come to sweep 16 years of Parisian invincibility at home in a Champions League group match had not been enough to give a little salt to this second European chapter, the German technician has, involuntarily or no, responsible for spicing it up at will.

Tuchel persists and signs

The fault of already fresh relations with Leonardo, its sports director, that a spat by media interposed in early October, ended up putting away in the freezer, right next to the ice cubes.

Taken on the fly - "If he decides to stay, he must respect sports policy and internal rules," Leonardo had curtly recalled following the coach's criticism of sports policy - Tuchel was, in the minds of some, especially responsible for putting a layer back this weekend.

Not by allowing yourself another bravado in front of the microphones.

But by relegating Danilo, the rookie that Leonardo attracted as the middle man, in central defense in order to bring up in the midfield Marquinhos, that the sporting director imagines as a central hinge.

And so Tuchel persists and signs since the formula will be the same again this Wednesday in front of Başakşehir.

“It was not a decision against someone, against Danilo, justified the coach.

It was for the team.

I have the impression, and this is my opinion, that he (

) is more important for us in the middle.

Guided by provocation or by frank convictions, the formula in any case leaves little room for error.

"I don't feel in danger"

By losing last Tuesday at home to Manchester United, Paris burned a precious joker in the race for the round of 16.

Did Thomas Tuchel do the same individually?

Its immunity totem, obtained through the last historic European exercise, seems to have lost its power.

"No, I do not feel in danger, yet assured the coach at a press conference.

I know how I work, I am focused, I know how to prepare matches.

Other things don't interest me!

"

Without envy, nor spring for the curtain raiser of the Champions League at the Park, his players have, to the surprise of some, displayed no disappointment or revolt in the locker room after the defeat.

Internally, his weekend choices also fueled conversations.

Some saw a distrust in Leonardo, who had not seen fit to meet the wishes of his coach by recruiting a new central defender.

Hard to believe that the sporting director did not have the same reading.

With some of his interlocutors, he no longer makes any mysteries of his lack of hooks with the German technician.

Signs that confirm that the link has broken.

And that in less troubled times, the divorce might have already taken place.

But Paris did not have the means to recruit.

He does not a priori have the funds, either, to divorce.

Eight months from the end of Tuchel's contract, separating from the German and his staff would require finding at least 10 million euros.

Until proven otherwise or, unless Doha gets involved, Leonardo is therefore gone to love what he has, failing to have what he loves.