PSG-Atalanta: Sarabia, Tuchel's other offensive asset

Nothing made him happier. It is almost midnight this Friday July 31 when Pablo Sarabia strikes a strike under the humid heat of the Stade de France. His flat left foot defeated Anthony Lopes, the Lyon goalkeeper, and offered victory to PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue final after a perfect penalty shootout. The Spaniard can let his joy explode. With Keylor Navas, who has just stopped the previous shot, the two recruits for the summer of 2019 are the heroes of the evening.

Before committing to five seasons in Paris, Pablo Sarabia had won only one title: the European Under-21 Championship with the Spanish selection in 2013. In one year, even with the imposed stoppage by the coronavirus crisis, the winger has just achieved a historic quadruple of trophies: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Champions Trophy. "Joining PSG was the best decision because I had personal goals," he confides in an interview to be published on Tuesday on RMC Sport. One of them is to win titles. I haven't had this opportunity before. A goal that is now accomplished. I hope to win more in the future. "

Starting with the fifth and last possible trophy this season, the Champions League. The Real Madrid-trained player grew up like all “Madridistas” with the taste of Europe in his mouth. Like PSG, it is three games away from a first victory in C1. This Wednesday, in the quarter-final against Atalanta Bergamo, Sarabia sees himself starting because of the absences of Di Maria (suspended) and Mbappé (too fair to start), but also thanks to the merit accumulated throughout the season.

He won the trust of Neymar

Only Angel Di Maria has played more matches than him. With 39 appearances, the Argentine is ahead of his natural replacement by only one unit. Even if the tenures are less regular, in playing time, with 2,350 minutes on the clock, Sarabia has played more than Neymar or Icardi. Tuchel is counting on this rookie completed by Antero Henrique, former sports director, before his departure and it is not for nothing. With 14 goals and 8 assists in all competitions, the 28-year-old was decisive throughout the 2019-2020 financial year, especially in the Coupe de France, a competition in which he finished top scorer.

The Champions League is another world. But, again, the versatile left-hander, used at four or five different positions by Tuchel, was able to shine. Whether as a holder against Galatasaray, on the first leg (0-1) or on the return (5-0), and against Dortmund (2-0), on March 11. Or as a joker in Madrid (2-2), scoring one of the best goals of the season. In addition, Sarabia enjoys, like Paredes, the confidence of his teammates, including the star Neymar.

Very integrated into the band of Spanish speakers, he is less shy than what he lets show in public. A human and athletic asset in this group of stars, Sarabia brings his calm and the image of a "normal" man, a fan of his cats and family outings in the streets of Paris or at Mont-Saint-Michel. Here he is now at the foot of the last ascent of the season. With an important role to play for the first level.