The content and the form.
Looking at the balance sheet, all is well in Paris.
Very well actually.
After the setback against Lille in the Champions Trophy (0-1), at the beginning of August, in Tel Aviv, Mauricio Pochettino's players have won nine of their ten matches in Ligue 1 (the ranking here) and they remain on a great victory against Manchester City (2-0) in the Champions League (the classification of group A here), after a much less convincing draw on the side of Bruges (1-1).
Except that the content is as sparkling as the numbers.
Worrisome?
To discover
Champions League fixtures and results
Champions League standings
In any case, not brilliant. Moreover, the Parisians regularly had to tear themselves away in the last minutes to win, or at least turn the tide after an opening goal. And often, the other teams come out of their duel against PSG with a bitter taste in their mouths, like Angers last Friday (2-1), during the 10th day of L1, at the Parc des Princes. And even anger when the referees get involved… “
There is frustration, even anger, misunderstanding. I do not feel good. I have always told my family that I would not cry over the referee's decisions, but it's stronger than me,
"stormed the Angevin coach, Gerald Baticle, in reference to the penalty of the 85th, despite a foul of Mauro Icardi who escaped thearbitrator.
“There is an idea, a methodology, a clear way of working. We know that it may be invisible to some, from the outside, but we see it and we are very happy with the evolution. "
Mauricio Pochettino
More generally, Mauricio Pochettino's game plan, in place since January, is difficult to detect, describe, and perceive.
His paw too.
Very often, PSG relies on the talent of its individualities to make the difference.
The victory against the Skblues of Pep Guardiola is an exception, even if everything had not been perfect in this clash between the last two unfortunate finalists in C1.
“
There is an idea, a methodology, a clear way of working.
We know that it may be invisible to some, from the outside, but we see it and we are very happy with the evolution,
”defended coach Pochettino on Monday.
Read alsoNeymar, passing blues or beginning of the end?
And the Argentinian technician, finalist of the C1 with Tottenham in 2019, to add: "
We know that there is a context, a complexity of the situation we are living, which means that things take longer to come together. see. We can talk about some teams ahead of their project, such as Manchester City with Pep Guardiola or Manchester United with Six Alex Ferguson, where there had been an evolution in complexity. In general, we are happy with the evolution of these things and we hope that we can put things in place that will be more visible over time.
“Against RB Leipzig, this Tuesday during the third day of the group stage of the Champions League, it will be necessary to win, it is the most important. But if possible, to convince too.
Nkunku, preventer of going in circles
“
Leipzig, it will be complicated, we could see it against Bruges.
We are at home, we will play with our quality, we hope to make a big match.
We know the qualities of this team, which is doing great things at European level.
I have friends who play it and have told me about it,
”said Presnel Kimpembe.
Friends among whom we can probably count the former Parisian Christopher Nkunku, "
huge
" since the start of the season according to the evaluation of his former comrade at the PSG training center and author of nine goals in 11 matches in 2021 -22.
Read alsoLeipzig: Nkunku turns super before his reunion with Paris
Except that the native of Lagny-sur-Marne represents one of the rare satisfactions of the start of the season for the men of Jesse Marsch, modest eighth in the Bundesliga and especially beaten in their first two matches in C1.
“
The numbers in this group are clear.
We need points
", recognizes the successor of Julian Nagelsmann on the bench of RasenBallsport, he who expects to suffer against" the
best strikers in the world.
You have to be intense with the ball, and in one-on-one with Lionel Messi, Neymar or Kylian Mbappé.
"
“Maybe a line with seven defenders would be a possibility. "
Jesse marsch
Good news for Nordi Mukiele and company? They will have to deal with "only" Messi and Mbappé, Neymar (adductors) having been forced to withdraw. Brilliant in the C1 semi-final won by PSG against Leipzig in August 2020 (3-0 victory) and still scorer in Leipzig last season (2-1 defeat), Angel Di Maria, suspended, will also be missed. call in the Parisian ranks. “
Maybe a line with seven defenders would be a possibility,
” laughs Marsch. The 47-year-old American coach, we can imagine, has a better idea in mind.
Nordi Mukiele is in any case convinced that "
it will be a different game
" from those who have opposed the two teams during the last two seasons.
“
Especially for us since we started our campaign badly.
We also have a different workforce.
We have a very good group, a very good coach who has his ideas.
I remain confident.
I am convinced that we can do something good (this Tuesday),
”announces the former Montpellier.
Quality of play and result
In any case, faced with this sick but playful team, this may be the right opportunity for this PSG to show that it can combine the quality of the game with the result.
“
They need to win, and so do we.
Leipzig is a very good team, with a lot of energy and quality players.
They are aggressive and want to achieve a result.
It will be a tough game.
The important thing for us will be the use of the ball and where and how we lose the ball, how to compensate to defend in the transition phases.
We will need a defensive organization to counter the offensives of Leipzig but possession will be important
”, content Mauricio Pochettino, ambitious.
Read alsoChampions League: where to see PSG-Leipzig and five questions around the match
Sunday, on the ground of OM, however, it will only be a question of the result.
A victory against the rival is always worth double… At least in the eyes of Parisian supporters.
But against RB Leipzig, it is the objective which will be twofold: the three points, in order to take a step closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and to advance in the site of the content.
