While PSG changes system, Fabian Ruiz changes gear.
In fact, the two are probably linked… Recruited at the end of the transfer window last summer after four (great) seasons in Naples, the Spanish international (15 caps, 1 goal) did not really impress at first.
It must be said that the 3-4-3 set up by Christophe Galtier from the outset left little space for the midfielders, knowing that the Verratti / Vitinha pair quickly imposed itself as obvious.
Ruiz therefore did not start any of Paris-SG's four matches in the Champions League, even remaining glued to the bench against Juventus (2-1).
Depending on the absences, the management of playing time in this pre-World Cup season,
he has, however, played the last six Ligue 1 matches and been injected into the starting XI in the last five.
Rather good in Lyon (0-1), at best neutral in Reims (0-0) and against Nice (2-1) in 3-4-3, we saw him raise his voice against OM (1- 0) and in Ajaccio (0-3), in 4-3-1-2.
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Has the machine started?
After Ajaccio, Galtier was in any case "
not surprised
" by the performance of the former Betis Sevilla player, recalling having fallen under his spell, like Luis Campos, during the draw between Paris and Napoli (2-2) , in 2018, with this saving goal from Angel Di Maria.
“
He had a complicated preparation since he was about to leave.
He was sidelined from the group pending his transfer and trained alone.
He arrived late and physically short, with very few sessions on a technical-tactical level.
We knew that there would be a need for time to adapt and that we would have to be patient
, ”says the Parisian coach, stressing that the person concerned “
didn't skip the steps.
He did the job professionally.
He did additional sessions, he was there very early in the morning and left after the others to fill up as
he went, "explained "Galette", agreeing that "
his first appearances were not at the level expectations.
He kept the confidence of the staff and his partners, we knew he was going to raise his level of play
.
Between Pastore and Motta
Fabian Ruiz is indeed no newcomer.
We know the quality of his left paw, his ability to play long, to hit the ball with his feet, to manage the game. An elegant player, sometimes criticized for his dilettantism and who does not always have the impact that his physique (1 .89m) seems to command.
On this last point, the person concerned has however demonstrated that he can also be trusted for a few matches, raking an impressive number of balls and showing himself to be solid in duels.
Complete package, even if his register is more the construction of his team's game than the destruction of that of the opponent, it is a well-established fact.
Read alsoChampions League: PSG-Maccabi Haifa, a risky match and … which revives (very) bad memories
Some have seen in his last performances a tasty mix between Javier Pastore and Thiago Motta.
“
It's always good to be compared to great players but everyone has their own characteristics.
I try to bring what I know how to do
”, he corrects, before facing Maccabi Haifa.
“
We suffered a little for 25-30 minutes (on the way), but we were able to change things and win (3-1).
I hope we can have the same intensity.
It's a very important match for us, at home, with our supporters
, ”he swears.
A match that could open the doors to the round of 16 at Paris-SG.
We have very great players and Marco Verratti is one of them.
Fabian Ruiz
Except surprise, Ruiz will again be part of the starting lineup in this new three-man environment this Tuesday (9 p.m.), during the fifth day of C1.
Especially since the essential Marco Verratti is missing.
“
I already knew him, everyone knows him in fact.
He's a great player and an incredible person.
It helped me a lot at first, knowing that I speak Italian.
He spoke to me a lot.
It's very easy to play alongside him, he has immense qualities and he helps you a lot.
We have very great players and Verratti is one of them.
It's a great satisfaction for me to play with the greatest
", savors Ruiz, who also knows the importance of an attacking trio made up of "
three world-class players that any coach would like to have
», dixit Galtier, the famous «MNM».
“
For a midfielder, it's a great pleasure to have these three players in front of him, to be able to pass the ball to them and that they can find the solution during the matches.
They are amazing players, they can win you in a minute.
It's essential.
I'm here to make them feel good on the pitch and bring everything I can
, ”he says.
Read alsoPSG: Marquinhos at ease, Ruiz at the heart of the game, Mbappé freed… The big winners of the tactical change
It remains to be seen whether Ruiz really has the makings of a full-fledged starter in this galactic team, he who “
had excellent feelings in the last two matches.
I hope it will continue on the next
ones, ”he aims.
And this, whether Galtier opts for 4-3-1-2 or 3-4-3, which he has “
not radically abandoned
”.
“
I can adapt to both ways of playing
,” he insists.
The World Cup... at home?
That's good, Christophe Galtier does not rule out the idea of alternating between the two systems in the future.
The 56-year-old technician does not hide, however, that the level of Fabian Ruiz is one of the reasons which led him to move to three in the middle, in addition to the absences of each other behind.
"
I have quality media at my disposal.
In the first model of play, five behind with two midfielders, there were many on the sidelines.
It was necessary to wait for Fabian and others to gain momentum in order to work on the reflection I had.
Obviously, Fabian plays in a position that is usual for him and in a preferential zone, this is where he performs best.
To significantly change an organization and game model, I need very specific players.
In this sense, Fabian is a specific player in relation to this organization
, ”explains the former coach of ASSE, Lille and Nice, conquered.
A priori, Luis Enrique is a little less so… European U21 champion with Spain in 2019, a year before his participation in the conquest of an Italian Cup in Naples, his only two major trophies, Fabian Ruiz has not been called up with La Roja since the Euros, in the summer of 2021. Nothing to dream aloud of a place in the Spanish group for the World Cup (November 20-December 18)… “
I I don't have a problem with the coach, I've never had one.
I wish the best to my country.
But I'm more focused on PSG, on bringing everything I can to the team and especially on the match (this Tuesday).
It's the only thing I'm thinking of for the moment
”, he assures us… in Spanish, aiming to master the language of Molière.
"
I'm starting to take lessons and I hope I can give my next press conference in French
,” he laughs.
In the meantime, he already speaks the same football as his little PSG comrades, that's the main thing.
To confirm.