PSG-Bayern: how, after a gloomy World Cup, Pavard tries to smile again

Football is ruthless.

Each season is there to remind it.

A little over four years ago, Benjamin Pavard came out of the 2018 World Cup in heaven and decked out with the status of the darling of the France team after his "bastard goal" against Argentina, elected the most beautiful of the tournament.

This Tuesday, the native of Maubeuge will remember the good memories of the French public, if he is a holder, during the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Paris SG with Bayern Munich (8:45 p.m., Canal + and RMC Sports) .

But between the Russian epic and the meeting at the Parc des Princes, the status of the international defender took on quite a shine after a World Cup spent almost exclusively on the bench of substitutes.

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The main interested party dreamed of a confirmation in Qatar, to ultimately experience a total questioning there.

And an implacable dismissal.

During the epic of the Blues, he will have played the more than secondary role of locker room man, out of the starting lineup after his failed performance against Australia in the opening (4-1).

Before never leaving the substitutes' bench again.

Suffice to say that this double meeting against PSG (go this Tuesday, return March 8) has been ticked for long weeks by the main interested party, eager to switch to something else and prove his qualities after a distressing World Cup on the personal plan.

For him, his future in the club (he is at the end of his contract in June 2024) and in the selection, the reunion with a French club is advancing as a turning point in his season.

And in his career?

"

 ”, blows one of his relatives.

Benjamin Pavard alongside Didier Deschamps during the return of the Blues from Qatar Federico Pestellini / PANORAMIC

Pavard wants to settle permanently in the axis

Read also“I will never be unanimous”: how Benjamin Pavard experiences his downgrading with the Blues

Under the gaze of Guy Stéphan, present at the Porte de Saint-Cloud on Tuesday to be the eyes of Didier Deschamps for the next list of March 16, Benjamin Pavard (47 selections), who is said to be revengeful, will be scrutinized carefully.

With major uncertainty about his tenure.

In a system with four defenders, he seems outdistanced by Dayot Upamecano, monstrous in Qatar and Matthijs de Ligt, when his presence in a defense with five is essential at the central position.

Here also lies all the complexity of the case of the former Lille player.

And no doubt of his future choices.

The previous 11 between PSG and Bayern

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Why Deschamps sidelined him in Qatar

In his mind, "Benji" wants to settle permanently in this central position, even if it means burning a few cartridges for his versatility as a right-back... See you soon 27 years old (he will be on March 28), the winner of the World Cup 2018 is no longer a kid, considering himself at a pivotal moment in his career.

And intends to demonstrate his qualities in a position different from that which made him known in the eyes of the French public.

It is also for one of his reasons that he was banned by Didier Deschamps during the stay in Qatar.

After his marking error and a few shortcomings which did not please the coach during the first match, the latter did not hesitate to reveal to him the bottom of his thoughts during a video session.

During this three-way interview with Deschamps and Stephan, Benjamin Pavard made it clear that he took less pleasure in playing in the right lane.

Immediate reaction of “DD”: shelved.

The high level does not accept moods.

"

", breathed, scathingly, the Basque technician about an element he launched in selection.

In Qatar, if he tried to give the change and keep his smile after the victories, the former Stuttgart player lived the most disappointing and traumatic sequence of his life in Blue.

After the World Cup final lost against Argentina (3-3, 2 tab to 4), Benjamin Pavard, very disappointed, isolated himself with his partner for a few days in Oman, before returning to Doha for Bayern Munich's winter preparation .

Within the Bavarian institution, after areas of tumult with the loss of his driving license for drunkenness or his desires elsewhere, calm seems to have returned.

Among the Blues, the competition for the position of right axial is colossal, even without Varane

Affectionate and sensitive, eager to be a dad as he mentioned in our columns on December 2, Pavard recently appreciated the warm gesture and congratulations of sports director Hasan Salihamidzic after a Bayern match.

Just like the fact that his coach, Julian Nagelsmann, considers him an important player (5 starts out of 6 Munich matches in 2023).

Enough to imagine extending the adventure started in the summer of 2019 in Bavaria?

This winter, Barça, Inter, Juventus and Real have inquired.

In vain.

As for Pavard, all doors are open and the club that offers him a position as central defender will have a head start.

What about his future in selection?

The exchanges are not broken with the Blues, the Northerner has also appreciated receiving certain messages from staff members in recent weeks.

But the competition for the position of right axial is colossal (Upamecano, Konaté, Saliba, Disasi, Fofana, Kalulu, Todibo…) despite the retirement of Raphaël Varane.

On the right, apart from Jules Koundé, who is not a specialist in the position, everything seems much more open.

Within the selection, this choice to confine oneself to a single position, contrary to what Lilian Thuram was able to do 20 years earlier, questions.

To say the least.

Charge to Benjamin Pavard to dispel doubts and send a strong signal.

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