Football goes fast. Very quickly sometimes. Barely a few weeks ago, Edinson Cavani was just a bench end substitute. Sometimes he even had to watch his little friends for 90 minutes without being called. Or else, we sent him to stretch his legs for a few minutes at the end of the game. Treatment that surprised more than one, given the status of the person concerned. And in particular Cavani, 33, who saw himself leaving Paris last January, six months before the end of his contract ... "Honestly, it was a very difficult moment for me," said the Matador last Sunday, after Bordeaux (4 -3). But I am happy and proud to continue my adventure here. I will continue to give my best until my last day here. It's difficult for each player to experience moments like this. But in the end, it's part of the job, of football, and you have to keep working, try to move on. ” A player apart in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, the top scorer, and in the hearts of red and blue supporters. A player who knew how to seduce by his generosity, his simplicity, his grinta.
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A player who however had to bite his brake after losing his place, therefore. Because of his repeated injuries, his lack of confidence, but also and above all the arrival of Mauro Icardi. And the Argentine made a strong start, with 17 goals in 19 games. It's harder then, with two goals in ten games. Enough to revive the debate. Because at the same time, Cavani has regained its superb. And take advantage of the post-Dortmund era? A little. Thomas Tuchel having, among other things, decided to establish him against the Girondins for "his mentality", as he had explained. Match in which the Matador scored his 200th goal in Parisian colors, in front of a Parc des Princes committed to his cause.
Cavani puts on the immunity collar
Cavani, who had already scored against Lyon (4-2), seized his chance. And Icardi must wait for his ... "It's always the same thing. At first, I was asked why Edi was on the bench and Mauro on the field, says Thomas Tuchel, in a press conference. Because he scored goals. We trust all the players, and also Edi. I had the impression that it was the moment for Edi, an important moment. And he gave. He scored a goal, delivered an assist and had many chances against Bordeaux. With attackers, that's how it is. In fact, it's like that for everyone but even more so with the attackers: when they score, when they are decisive, they stay on the field, it's clear. ”
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Until proven otherwise, the darling of Parisian Ultras has donned the immunity collar, to the detriment of "Mr. Wanda Nara", loaned with option to buy by Inter Milan. Until when ? Will he hold on March 11 against Dortmund? One thing is certain: his defensive energy riot will not hurt against Erling Haaland and company. Especially if coach Tuchel opts for 4-4-2 in this return match of the long-awaited knockout stages of the Champions League… “It is his strength, his physical capacity, confirms Tuchel, before moderating his remarks. But I must honestly say that Mauro did very well against the ball. Tactically, he is very intelligent and very disciplined. For me, the two have somewhat the same defensive influence for the team. It is also a very important point for Dortmund. ”
"This is not the time to stop the dynamics of Edi"
Thomas tuchelHow to decide between them in this case? "Between the two, it's more a question of feeling about who can start and who can come back," says the Bavarian technician. In the last matches, the last training sessions, Edi has regained confidence, he has scored a very important goal against Lyon, he has set his 200th goal against Bordeaux, and that gives a lot of confidence. " Conclusion? "This is not the time to stop (this dynamic) for Edi." Clearly, it is the Uruguayan who will start this Saturday (5.30 pm), against Dijon, during the 27th day of Ligue 1. The follow-up to the next episode… There will be two more games before PSG-Dortmund, in Lyon in the halves of the Coupe de France, and in Strasbourg. Enough to see Icardi turn things around? One more question for "Herr Tuchel", who must already be thinking of replacing Thiago Silva (injured), Marco Verratti and Thomas Meunier (suspended) in view of the C1, and determine if Marquinhos goes back down to central defense or continues in the middle. All while allowing Neymar - suspended against the DFCO - to regain rhythm. Dijon? Yes, with a little head already at BVB…
With Thiago Silva forfeited and the Verratti / Meunier duo suspended, Thomas Tuchel faces a dilemma in view of Dortmund. Except surprise, it is Marquinhos which will evolve in central hinge on March 11. Especially since Thilo Kehrer must compensate for the absence of Thomas Meunier on the right. If necessary, Leo Paredes and Idrissa Gueye leave with the favor of the forecasts for the two positions in the middle. And Tanguy Kouassi? "It's always an option because he has talent, ability and personality. I have a lot of confidence in him, ”notes Tuchel. Let us remember that Paredes was not even in the group in Germany. "I did not make a decision against him, but for Tanguy Kouassi, because the latter can play 6 and central defender," said the German, who also muddles the waters about Marqui. “I really like it when he plays in the middle because he has the ability, the energy to help on the whole field. In defense, he is also super important, he has a great influence. But in the middle, he has an even greater influence with his energy, his "spirit". That's great. There is the possibility of using it in defense when Thiago Silva cannot play. Or leave it in the middle ... We have a few matches to try several things and then we will decide. "
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