PSG-Leipzig (1-0): the suffering Parisian environment

It was the surprise of Thomas Tuchel's chef.

The choice to line up three defensive midfielders in a 4-4-2 diamond system against the Germans in Leipzig (1-0) was intended to stabilize the Parisian block and free the Neymar-Mbappé-Di Maria trio from part of the defensive retreat.

If the attackers listened perfectly to the instructions of their coach by making almost no withdrawal effort, it is clear that Danilo Pereira, Leandro Paredes and Ander Herrera clearly did not have the expected return.

In a system that Paris had barely worked on on the eve of the meeting, the Parisian game seemed unbalanced throughout the meeting.

It should at least be noted that the German technician had for once placed his players at their best positions by replacing Marquinhos in central defense in the absence of Presnel Kimpembe, suspended, while Danilo Peirera settled in front of the defense.

A sentinel position that he occupies in the selection of Portugal.

The former Porto player slipped into the clothes occupied by his captain last season, slipping between his two central defenders in the offensive phase to free the corridors.

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However, his raises did not create much while his defensive interventions were not sharp enough.

A deficit in the impact which endangered a defense that he ended up joining in the 65th minute lord of the change of system following the exit of Di Maria for Rafinha.

A position where he immediately put himself in value by cutting perfectly a center of Forsberg (66th).

Verratti, the good news?

His midfield cronies did not shine either.

Leandro Paredes was expected in commitment and vice, he let himself be overwhelmed by Haidara or Olmo.

Its usefulness in transmissions, especially between lines, was not immediately obvious either.

The Argentinian has never found solutions in the intervals by his game of long passes or in his rare percussion ball to the foot.

Ander Herrera for his part has never been at the level he had this summer during the Final 8 in Lisbon.

The Basque seemed totally lost on the pitch.

Positioned to the right of the diamond set up by Tuchel, the Spaniard always seemed late against Nkunku and Sabitzer.

Worse, he was taken several times by the climbs of Forsberg, watching from a distance the Swede miss his volley alone against Navas (50th).

A performance that can be explained by fatigue for the field player most used by PSG since the start of the season with 14 games for 9 starts and 992 minutes.

But who also worries a week before the trip to his former club Manchester United where Paris will have to seek his qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

A match for which Paris can count on the return of Marco Verratti, invaluable when he came into play. Finally, good news.