"You know very well that I never want to play without" Marqui ", never," slipped Thomas Tuchel, before the match in Dijon last Wednesday, in the Coupe de France (6-1 victory). And yet, the German coach had to compose without the Brazilian international for three weeks. Stack the length of unavailability mentioned by the club at the time of his thigh injury, in the semifinals of the League Cup (3-0 victory). As for Neymar and Thiago Silva, the "goal" was to align him with Gaston-Gérard, history to allow him to accumulate minutes and find rhythm before THE big meeting of this beginning of the year for PSG . Not the match in Amiens this Saturday (5.30 p.m.), on behalf of the 25th day of the French Ligue 1 championship, but the 8th final first leg of the Champions League scheduled for next Tuesday (9 p.m.), on the Dortmund meadow. "He is a super important player, a key player for us. Maybe he has to play, whether he's ready or not, "said the German coach again about" Marqui ", erected as a club symbol, likely future captain when Thiago Silva bows out and is part of this team. .
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However, "Marqui" did not play in Burgundy. And it is finally this Saturday that he is called to return to business, in Picardy, against the current 19th in the classification of Ligue 1. "For me, it is sure that he can start against Amiens", said Tuchel in Dijon, explaining that he preferred the 25-year-old Brazilian to perform a maximum of intensive sessions at Saint-Germain-en-Laye rather than to see him eventually play half an hour in the Coupe de France. A match in which two players were able to resume, captain Thiago Silva and Juan Bernat.
"Personally, I really like when Marquinhos plays in the middle"
Thomas tuchelThis obviously does not mean that Marquinhos is less essential than others in the eyes of Thomas Tuchel. Completely the opposite. It remains to be seen where the German technician intends to use the former Roma. Behind, alongside Thiago Silva, or in midfield, to support Marco Verratti? Although, listening to Tuchel, there is not a lot of suspense ... "He's a key player because he helps a lot, everyone. In defense or in the middle, it doesn't make much difference to me, swears the Bavarian. Personally, I really like it when he plays in the middle because he can show his ability to catch balls very high and help attacking players recover because he closes spaces very quickly when attacking. It is super strong to close the spaces when you attack and to take the second balls when you lose it. It protects central defenders very well because it is good of the head. He can play between the two, or 6. It is very fluid with him. He is super reliable, super professional. He is absolutely a key player for us. It's a shame he has been arrested for many matches. ”
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But the interested party is now back. At the best time, just before C1. Although it would not have been luxury to see him resume against Lyon or Dijon. But at least, "there is no risk in playing it (this Saturday)", as Tuchel points out. And in Dortmund? "I do not know yet. Same as with "Ney". It’s a round of 16, against Dortmund, a very high level, physical match. We have to decide how many players who may not be 100% can play or start. We will decide after Amiens, ”he slips.
In this case, said Neymar will not be Unicorn. Back again pushed back. In any case, Tuchel promises that the former Barcelonan "will help" the PSG at Signal Iduna Park. "I am convinced of it," he says. Kylian Mbappé is not on the trip either. Ditto for Abdou Diallo, Colin Dagba, Presnel Kimpembe, Pablo Sarabia, Thomas Meunier or Layvin Kurzawa, the latter being potentially called to start on Tuesday if Bernat is still too fair. Marco Verratti and Idrissa Gueye are in the group. It is up to Tuchel to juggle as skillfully as possible between the need for playing time for some, and the risk of an untimely injury ... "For example, Angel Di Maria, he absolutely wants to play before the big games," explains Tuchel. But we will not take any risk in Amiens, it is clear, but it will be a strong team which can play free in the head, without thinking too much about Dortmund, if at all. It is clear that it is starting a little ... We can accept it, it is reality. "
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And to conclude: "But I will ask that we stay focused on Amiens." Impossible mission ? In the end, coach Tuchel would already be fully satisfied if his players fielded a 23rd consecutive match without defeat in all competitions on the ground of an Amiens team in the tough, even a new victory, and especially if he had not to deplore again physical glitch. All while relaunching players who need it, like Marquinhos, who must be impatient at the idea of putting on his crampons and putting the heating blue back on.
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