Who to animate the midfielder, against Dortmund? An equation with multiple unknowns that Professor Tuchel must solve by March 11, and this 8th final return from the Champions League. A work that is done in training of course, but also in a match, against Dijon (4-0) last Saturday, in Strasbourg next Saturday (5:30 p.m.), and again this Wednesday, in Lyon, in the half of the Coupe de France (9:10 p.m.).
"Lyon is strong, we are strong, it will be a very close match, at a very high level"
Thomas tuchelObviously, this match at Parc OL is not just a mock exam for C1. Especially after the recent Lyonnais victories over Juventus (1-0) and neighboring Stéphane (2-0)… There is a place in the final (April 24) in play, and we will have to face Gones with full confidence. "This is a Champions League level match, promises Thomas Tuchel. It's Lyon, they are strong, we are strong, it will be a very close match, of a very high level. In Lyon, it is never easy. We want to win because it's the only cutting solution. A draw is not possible. " And to add: "It is necessary to focus only on this match and not to think of Dortmund." Especially since OL and the BVB have little tactical similarity. “But it's also a game with a lot of tension, a decisive match. Mentally, it's a time to prepare and observe who is able to show his quality, ”slips the 46-year-old coach.
Nevertheless, the former strong man of Borussia Dortmund recognized, Tuesday at a press conference the day before the match, that he had not yet decided if he will align, this Wednesday, Marco Verratti and Thomas Meunier. Which players, however available in Lyon, will be suspended in C1. Proof that the temptation to make choices based on Dortmund is present in the minds of the Parisian staff… Dortmund, a meeting during which “the players absolutely want to show that they are capable of taking this step forward, and also that there were too many criticisms, that they were too harsh ”, as Tuchel indicated after Dijon.
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Precisely, the choices against the DFCO could have given some indications in view of Dortmund. A trend. With the young (17 years old) Tanguy Kouassi in place of Thiago Silva behind, Thilo Kehrer on the right and the Marquinhos-Gueye duo in recovery. "This is not a signal for Dortmund, but choices for this match, to win," corrected the Bavarian after this game. "If we want to have the opportunity to play with Marqui in the middle against Dortmund, it's better that he now plays a few matches in this position," he added. Note that the package of Thiago Silva, which was believed to be out for three weeks, is not finally acted. Minimal hope. Hope anyway. "If he's ready for Strasbourg, he may be ready for Dortmund. Otherwise, he could perhaps be in the group, ”says Tuchel.
In the meantime, it was therefore Kouassi who started in place of the Brazilian captain against Dijon. “We chose Tanguy because he is right-handed, and not Abdou Diallo, left-handed. Two left-handers in central defense, it's a little weird, ”explains Tuchel, more than ever seduced by titi. “Tanguy is very strong. He has a great personality, he is very attentive and very reliable, he does everything necessary to help, notes Tuchel. He is very confident on the ground. It's good. We can always count on him. He still has the opportunity to play in Lyon. We have to decide. " And in Dortmund? "It's always an option," said Tuchel, who had favored the versatility of the French, double scorer in Amiens (4-4), to Leo Paredes in the group in Germany.
Paredes, Verratti's ideal replacement?
Nevertheless, said Paredes made a resounding entry against Dijon, offering solutions that were missing in the absence of Verratti. Note the great performance also by Idrissa Gueye. “We are looking for a mix that allows everyone to give the best of their potential, without having to play against nature. It's better to have a mix where everyone does what they like to do, ”sums up Thomas Tuchel, who quotes the associations“ Gana and Marco, Marqui and Marco, or Leo and Gana, Leo and Marqui. ” Should we conclude that Paredes has every chance of making up for Verratti's absence against the BVB? In any case, the Argentinian international is, with his quality of pass, the suitable replacement. Except that he started only four matches in 2020, including three in cups. The last time we saw him in the eleven was in Amiens. To see if it starts in Lyon and Strasbourg. It would be a clue.
Note that Paris will have to do, at Groupama Stadium, without Thiago Silva, Ander Herrera, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Colin Dagba (injured) and Presnel Kimpembe (suspended). In all likelihood, Diallo should replace the latter. To see if Tuchel will take the risk of aligning a ghost and a youngster, Kouassi, in the central hinge, or if he will bring Marquinhos down a notch. See also who will start on the right (Meunier or Kehrer), in front (Cavani or Icardi) and therefore especially in the middle. Choices that will be both guided by the ambition to reach the final of the Coupe de France, but also the quarters in C1. "I'm glad we have the opportunity to play a match like this," says Tuchel, always happy that his team is tested, jostled. We absolutely want to win. ” And reach Saint-Etienne or Rennes in the final.
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