At 47, Eric Rabésandratana, the former Parisian defender (1997-2001), speaks with passion about the situation of Thiago Silva. The captain and central defender of PSG, showed himself in difficulty in Dortmund, during the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. The consultant for France Bleu Paris points out his lack of rhythm after his pubic injury and assures that he should improve in the coming weeks.
How do you judge Thiago Silva's performance in Dortmund on Tuesday evening?
ERIC RABESANDRATANA . I found it in adequacy with its state of form. He missed a lot of competition time ( note: 4 games ). Finally, no, I say nonsense, it was better than I thought! I expected it to be difficult. It had been against Amiens (4-4). It was pretty good there. That didn't stop Haaland from scoring two goals. But the only time you can say he's a little bit guilty is because he's a bit behind the second. But it is the tendency of the whole team on this goal.
Do you think he makes too ideal a culprit on this goal?
Yes. The midfielders are eliminated in two passes while they are sleeping because they have just scored ( Editor's note: EQ from Neymar ). So I won't be so hard on Thiago Silva. I remain convinced that he is a very great player and that it is just that he is in need of competition.
For you, will he get back in shape?
I'm pretty hopeful. The return against Dortmund is in three weeks, it will be even better. I hope it will be the same with Marquinhos ( six games missed ). When they are physically well I have no worries. There, it fell out badly because Thiago Silva could not return before and that he did not make enough matches. Especially when you are 35 years old. I'm not saying he has to play every game but he needs to have the rhythm to be 100%.
Is he not lacking in aggressiveness?
There, yes, it is clear. When you are a defender and you have to go out on a player, you have to be in good shape. You can't afford to be 50% like him and Marquinhos were. I hope they will return to their usual level of aggressiveness on their return. Because it was not a big Dortmund that we met. It's just a difficult Dortmund to play because, physically, they put on some intensity. Afterwards, they have a team that still plays football well and a guy ( Haaland ) above the clouds for now.
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Unai Emery, in France Football, did not spare Thiago Silva by reproaching him for his propensity to back too much especially during the return match in Barcelona (6-1)…
It's a bit easy to put the responsibility on Thiago Silva. First it was a rather special match because already, for me, the referee was not fair. So it was more complicated. Afterwards, yes, they suffered enormously. But I saw the match again. Thiago Silva was not the worst. And then it's easy to swing on the players. Emery is very kind to unload on Thiago Silva but I find it a little easy. He didn't prove anything Emery. In Paris he made more mistakes than good things. It bothers me a little. Especially when you left the club.
Can we still say that Thiago Silva is not bad enough in big events?
No I do not agree. The problematic side it can have is that it is sensitive. This sensitivity is put on his back, saying that he is weak. Except that it is not a weak but a sensitive. That is to say that emotions are important to him and, suddenly, it can alter his performance from time to time. But this is not true on all major games. And he has so much work and baggage that he can do well. Afterwards, it is certain that it is not he who is going to raise the troops. He will try but it is not he who will do it.
Despite his captain status?
There are different captains. There are guys who are going to have a big mouth but much less qualities than him. He does it more through gestures and through play. And every coach who has it on the pitch should know that. He is a little more reserved but he is very strong. Its priority is to make good performances. After that it is sure that when things are not going well and that you have to wake everyone up, well you are not necessarily followed… We can clearly see on the ground that he is trying to speak but it is not Zlatan (Ibrahimovic ) ...
At his post, isn't it important to hurt his opponent to mark his territory?
Yes, it is important. Of course there, against a 19 year old like Haaland, you have to put pressure on him much more than that. But there it is not only Thiago Silva. It's all the defenders. This is also where we were inside in relation to the aggressiveness of Borussia. Can and Witsel were better in midfield than Gueye or Verratti because they punched and gained the psychological edge. Even if the referee was not up to it either because at one point he should have put a card.
Thiago Silva, who still hopes to extend the adventure in Paris, will have to make a high-level return match…
Exactly. That's for sure. He has three weeks to recover well. He is a great professional so I know that it will only be the return to the game that will put him well. He's not a party animal so you know the guy will be 100% focused on his job. This is why I have good hope. And I hope that Marquinhos will also be 100% because when it is, it's the same: there is no worry.