Is PSG stronger in the Champions League without Thiago Silva? Being provocative, this is the question that some of the supporters are asking after the press release sent by the club on the state of health of its captain.
Hit in the right thigh, the Brazilian defender will be away at least three weeks from the field and will therefore miss the knockout round of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, March 11. A package which is not a first for Thiago Silva in Europe. But what is the history of PSG with or without its Brazilian?
An experience like no other. The winner of the 2019 Copa America has 310 games in all competitions with PSG since his arrival in the summer of 2012. Of this total, count 57 Champions League games (including 56 starts). Second total in club history behind Marco Verratti and his 58 games. Of the 56 times he started, Thiago Silva has 53.5% wins, 25% draws and 21.5% losses, group stage and knockout matches combined.
Without him, Paris earns more. It is a fact which will delight the detractors of the Parisian captain, accused of mental fragility. Thiago Silva has missed a European meeting 14 times: injured 10 times, left twice outside the group and placed twice on the bench without entering the game. In the absence of a “TS”, Paris won 64% of the matches for 22% of draws and 14% of defeats, group phase and knockout matches combined.
Own advocate or lack of commitment? Another interesting statistic with Thiago Silva: the absence or almost no yellow cards. If Marco Verratti seems incorrigible and will be suspended due to an accumulation of cards, the Brazilian has always been a "clean" defender. In 56 tenure, he was sanctioned only 5 times by European referees and never suspended. And only one during a knockout match (1-1 in Barcelona during the 2012-2013 season in the quarterfinals return). A ratio close to perfection. Which denotes, too, for some a lack of commitment in the meetings that matter.
The direct symbol of PSG's failures? The answer is hard to find. With the Brazilian selection, Thiago Silva has long been associated with the 7-1 humiliation suffered in the World Cup semi-final against Germany ... even though he did not participate. With PSG, he has been linked for ever to the double confrontation against Barça since 2017: because he was absent (on injury) in the first leg (4-0 victory) but present at the return (1-6).
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In 2018, Unai Emery attempted a blow by placing him on the sidelines against Real Madrid: a failure, the PSG having lost 3-1 in Spain. On the return, Thiago Silva was this time titular for another setback (defeat 1-2). In his history during knockout matches, it should also be noted that the Brazilian was absent in Valencia (2-1 victory) but present during the great successes (or qualifications) at Chelsea (2-1 victory, 2-2 draw ).
Since 2012-2013, season of return to the Champions League, PSG has played 17 knockout games. For 5 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses. With or without Thiago Silva, the results remain meager for a candidate declared for final victory.
PSG matches in the Champions League without Thiago Silva:
2012-2013 season:
Valence-PSG (1-2), round of 16 first leg
2013-2014 season:
PSG-Benfica (3-0)
Anderlecht-PSG (0-5)
Benfica-PSG (2-1), choice of coach
2014-2015 season:
Ajax Amsterdam-PSG (1-1)
PSG-FC Barcelona (3-2)
PSG-Ajax Amsterdam (3-1)
FC Barcelona-PSG (2-0), 1/4 final return
2015-2016 season:
PSG-Shakhtar Donetsk (2-0), choice of coach
2016-2017 season:
PSG-FC Barcelona (4-0), round of 16 first leg
2017-2018 season:
Anderlecht-PSG (0-4)
Real Madrid-PSG (3-1), round of 16 first leg, choice of coach
2018-2019 season:
PSG-Naples (2-2)
2019-2020 season:
PSG-Galatasaray (5-0), choice of coach