Injuries, suspensions, healthy lifestyle… Marco Verratti is not spared by the critics.
Often rightly so, sometimes less.
One thing is certain: the return to business of the 28-year-old Italian, who entered late in the match against Leipzig (1-0) after a month and a half away from the pitch, is excellent news for PSG and Thomas Tuchel.
Because whether we like it or not, the former Pescara is more than ever a major element.
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Admittedly, PSG has strengthened at least numerically in the middle in recent years, with Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera, Leo Paredes and Danilo Pereira.
Although, the latter is regularly used ... in defense by the German coach, who prefers Marquinhos in the heart of the game. Currently unavailable, Julian Draxler can also play in the middle three, if Paris plays three in the middle.
Newcomer Rafinha too.
But none evolve in the same spheres as Verratti, so skilled with the ball, able to light up the game while doing a lot of work on recovery.
The international class, even if the statistics do not follow (9 goals and 52 assists in 320 matches in Paris).
Never mind, the influence of the one nicknamed the "Little Owl" is not judged by the numbers.
It's hard to doubt after the football porridge offered by his little comrades last Tuesday, without him.
“Honestly, if I had been in front of my television, I might have changed channels,” says Tuchel, well aware that his team has not developed an unforgettable show.
Out since October 14 with an injury to the right thigh in a draw between Italy and the Netherlands (1-1), Verratti entered in the 84th minute.
An entry that has been good for this dominated PSG in proportions that are at least unusual.
"Lack of rhythm", explained the German coach, taking refuge behind injuries and an indigestible schedule.
Arguments that can be heard.
But the lack of technical quality in the middle was another.
"He can change everything"
Thomas Tuchel on Marco Verratti
So obviously, the mere presence of Verratti at kickoff would not have changed everything.
But she would have given another face to this limited environment unable to get out of the pressure.
“It can change everything in our plans and on the ground, recognized“ Herr Tuchel ”, Friday, on the eve of PSG-Bordeaux this Saturday (9 pm, live commented).
He didn't come home until the end, but it was enough to make an extraordinary performance.
With his individual quality, his experience, he had a great impact.
But we had not decided that he would be on the bench until the morning of the match, because he had only done a half-training… ”Indeed, the ex-future Barcelona - he had flirted with the Barça in 2017 - had been forced to take a "break" of a few days after an alert before this match.
"He hasn't had a bad reaction since," Tuchel continued.
Maybe he can play a half against Bordeaux.
It gives us a lot of possibilities in the field, a lot of confidence and quality, that's clear. "
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With Verratti, Tuchel also has more tactical options.
The middle to three?
This is where the Italian feels best and gives the full measure of his qualities.
The 4-4-2, with a double pivot in the middle?
He got used to it.
In any case, his sense of passing and his glance are essential.
Thomas Tuchel is delighted in any case to have the luxury of choice.
“I have several possibilities, good mixes with different players, notes Tuchel, about the appropriate formula in the middle.
We must also admit that it depends on the physical state, the state of mind, the opponent ... We have quality if everyone is there, but we had too many injuries.
Marco's return gives everyone a lot of confidence. ”
And it is precisely because Marco Verratti is so important that we can only regret his repeated absences.
"Marco's problem is that he does not have the lifestyle of a very high level athlete," recently told "a regular at Camp des Loges" in the columns of
L'Equipe
.
Our colleagues mentioned jumbled up “cigarettes, a taste for good food and lack of sleep” as so many factors which suggest that the Italian international (38 sel., 3 goals) is not right. , that he does not do the maximum.
And there are also his gaps in the field, with 95 yellow cards and five red since his arrival in 2012. Even last Tuesday, it took only a minute to get a small toast.
Nobody is perfect, but for a player Paris-SG needs so much, that's a lot.
Far too many in fact, let's face it.
Rhythm against Bordeaux, performance in Manchester?
Charge to Marco Verratti to do what he does best at Old Trafford next Wednesday, for this extremely important duel against Manchester United in the Champions League (5th day), namely to play football and to enlighten the game of his team.
Defeat prohibited in the north of England.
In the meantime, his goal will simply be to find the rhythm this Saturday, during the 12th day of Ligue 1, against Hatem Ben Arfa and the Girondins de Bordeaux.
For this match at the Parc des Princes, Thomas Tuchel will always be without Juan Bernat, Thilo Kehrer and Julian Draxler.
Spared, Marquinhos will also be missed, probably Keylor Navas too.
Mauro Icardi and Idrissa Gueye are back.
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