Well, well, well, look who’s in a bit of a pickle! Paris Saint-Germain, after twiddling their thumbs for two games in the Champions League without a win, are staring down the barrel of a massive showdown against Atlético Madrid. I mean, this is like showing up to a knife fight with a butter knife – not exactly confidence-inspiring, is it?
“Optimism and confidence, with the objective of winning the three points,” said Luis Enrique, clearly channeling his inner motivational speaker before the big match. It’s good to see he’s got the right psych-up going. But I can’t help but think he’s also a touch worried, wouldn’t you say? Four points in three games is hardly the stuff of champions, especially with Bayern Munich and Manchester City lurking around the corner like unwanted guests at a party you’re not even having.
The Definite Need for Some Points
This PSG-Atlético clash is a bit like high-stakes poker—only one player can bluff their way to victory, and right now it looks like Enrique’s got a shaky hand! The good Willan Pacho, who sounds like he should be selling carpets rather than talking football, even had to remind everyone that it’s not the end of the world if PSG doesn’t win. That’s a comfort, isn’t it? Especially when you’ve got far tougher matches lined up. “No, it’s not decisive, not at all,” Pacho reassured the press. Seatbelts, everyone; we’re entering a high-stakes zone!
This is all about contrasting styles: you’ve got the flamboyant PSG – all flair, possession, and a dash of “look how great we are” – against Diego Simeone’s Atlético, who have the collective charm of a porcupine and the tactical nous to match. Enrique’s just trying to maintain his cool, saying he doesn’t prefer one style over the other, as if he’s the football equivalent of a hipster who drinks both craft beer and mass-produced lagers, but we all know he secretly prefers the former.
The PSG Dilemma
While Enrique insists there are no dual personas within the team, the numbers beg to differ. Let’s be honest! When you’re scoring like an awkward first date, you can’t help but feel the need for efficiency in front of the goal. Seriously, they’re performing worse than a stand-up comedian at a silent retreat! Dembélé and Barcola, the supposed stars, are overflowing with talent but sometimes can’t seem to hit the broadside of a barn (or a goalpost for that matter). I mean, it’s like having a Ferrari but only using it to get groceries—inefficient, distinctly unglamorous.
“You see the result, I see the overall picture, and it was very positive,” Luis Enrique claims.
Yes, mate, but that’s an optimistic view coming from someone who watched his team fizzle like a bad soda! Scoring more goals? Sure, it would be nice if only they could find the back of the net with the same enthusiasm as I find cake at a buffet. They’ll also need to pick up points before facing Arsenal or Guardiola’s crew, who will likely treat them like a warm-up act at a major concert.
Atlético: Not So Hot
“I have no doubt, despite their results against Benfica and Lille, Atlético will show their best version,” Enrique predicts. Well, let’s hope so, because after conceding nine goals in three matches, they look about as useful as a chocolate teapot. What’s the betting that Atlético, with their penchant for grit and defensive strategies,’ll find ways to exploit PSG’s oh-so-obvious weaknesses? I mean, have they been watching *Attack of the Clones* or something? They might just surprise everyone – especially PSG!
“We have seen the mistakes they make to take advantage of it,” Pacho said, like he’s pointing out a lost wallet.
The Goalkeeper Saga Continues
And can we just talk about the goalkeeping situation? Apparently, it’s been decided over a “good cappuccino” – I mean, is that a tactic or are we just caffeinating our way through the season? Enrique might as well flip a coin while he’s at it! Honestly, if they haven’t sorted their top-spot dilemma, they might as well hand out pamphlets to unsuspecting onlookers: “Looking for a position between the posts? Join PSG!”
So, here we are. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and PSG’s holding their breath hoping for salvation against Atlético. Grab your popcorn, folks; it’s bound to be a match of epic proportions! Will they rise to the challenge? Or will it end in a spectacular flop, leaving fans looking just as confused as my grandmother at a self-checkout? Stay tuned!
After two games without a victory in the Champions League, PSG would be well advised to restart the machine against Atlético Madrid this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes.
“Optimism and confidence, with the objective of winning the three points”. This is the feeling that drives Luis Enrique before PSG-Atlético, this Wednesday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, during the fourth day of the Champions League. Which Luis Enrique admitted “concerned» by the classification and qualification after the draw against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). There’s something there.
Four points in three games is not great. Especially when we know the program that awaits PSG in C1, with Bayern Munich and Manchester City in particular. Paris-Atlético, a decisive duel? “An important match”corrects the excellent Willan Pacho, guessing that the Parisians will have to be «patients» against the Spanish porcupine, best defense in La Liga. “No, it’s not decisive, not at all. If a team loses tomorrow but wins the next four matches it will qualify without any worries.agrees Luis Enrique, noting that the Paris-SG calendar “is harder than theirs, it’s clear, very difficult, but you never know what will happen in football”.
Also read Luis Enrique before PSG-Atlético: “I would sign straight away to have the same statistics as against PSV or Girona”
Opposition of styles
This is not entirely true. With PSG, we know: the Rouge et Bleu are not going to deviate from their idea of the game, from the precepts of the dogmatic Luis Enrique. Mastery at all levels, possession, desire to unbalance the opponent, to push him to his limits. A real opposition in style with Diego Simeone’s Atléti, that’s clear. “He is an opponent who knows how to play very well collectively and has great individuals. Afterwards, whether we play against a team which adapts more to our idea of a game or which has a completely different idea of a game, I have no preference.breathes Luis Enrique, who often beat “Cholo” Simeone with Barça (9 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
Contrary to what some think, Paris Saint-Germain does not have two faces, one sluggish in the Champions League and another dominating in the championship. Simply, the level is higher on the European scene… “No, we still have the same face, the same collective idea. In terms of numbers, we are one of the best teams in defense and attack. I would sign straight away to have the same statistics as against PSV or Girona”underlines the 54-year-old Spanish technician.
SEE ALSO – Ousmane Dembélé’s winning goal during PSG-Lens on November 2 (1-0)
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In this case, Paris Saint-Germain beat Girona (1-0) thanks to a small miracle in added time on the first day. Miracle that did not happen against Eindhoven (1-1). The Parisians had nevertheless done what was necessary in the game. The opportunities were there. Not the finish. We know that too: PSG is struggling in terms of efficiency in front of the opposing goal. We saw it again on Saturday, during the 1-0 victory against Lens. The Rouge et Bleu also increased their harvests in the second period in Marseille (3-0 victory). “It is important not to depend on any particular player in the long term”insists Luis Enrique. That’s good, his team depends… on two players, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé. Two players who are overflowing with talent but sometimes have difficulty finding the target. It’s historic for Dembélé, it could change in the future for the young Barcola, top scorer in L1 (8 goals) but who has only found the net once in C1 since last season, in 13 matches.
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You see the result, I see the overall picture, and it was very positive.
Luis Enrique
“I have no doubt: we will be one of the teams that scores the most. When will it trigger? I don’t know. What interests me is always to generate chances by having been stronger than the opponent, that’s my objective, to always generate chances. Scoring more or less is something else, we work week after week to improve efficiency, but above all I want to have the same statistics as against PSV and Girona. You see the result, I see the overall picture, and it was very positive. We drew against Eindhoven, that’s football, but we could have won these two matches. No one will say it’s right.”notes the former Spanish coach. Fair or not, you have to take points. “No, there are not two faces, we always have the same idea of the game. There have not been good results in the last matches but we still have the same idea and the same objective. We don’t have the results we hoped for in C1 but I’m sure we will get them.promised Pacho.
The sooner the better. Because it is perhaps not at the Allianz Arena or against Pep Guardiola’s Skyblues that PSG will take points. Against Arsenal, at the Emirates (2-0 defeat), we wanted to see and we saw. Victory will be imperative in Salzburg on December 10. Three points which could be enough to progress to the play-offs if Marquinhos and company had the good idea to increase their capital by having Atlético de “Grizou”. Otherwise, Paris would play its role in Stuttgart on January 29, during the final day.
Note that the Matelassiers, whom PSG has never met in its history, are not at their best. Certainly, they occupy third place in the La Liga standings. But the dynamics have not been breathtaking in recent weeks. And in C1, it’s red alert: after having disposed of Leipzig (3-2), Robin Le Normand and his teammates exploded against Benfica in Lisbon (0-4 defeat) and gave in to Lille (1-3). Nine goals conceded in three matches is more than in 12 La Liga matches (7). “I have no doubt, despite their results against Benfica and Lille, Atlético will show their best version (this Wednesday), a more competitive, stronger, more serious version. He will be a very tough opponent to fight.guesses Luis Enrique, who has however detected some flaws to exploit. “We have seen the mistakes they make to take advantage of it”slips Willian Pacho, who should be associated with Marqui.
Also read PSG: Donnarumma/Safonov, what does Luis Enrique play?
Uncertainty in cages
Knowing that the group is complete, with the exception of the long-term absentees Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe and Gonçalo Ramos, there should not be any major upheaval in the Parisian 11. Still a little doubt regarding the center forward position, or in this case false 9, with Marco Asensio and Kang-in Lee in the balance, or even Ousmane Dembélé. Although, there is suspense where we least expected it, that is to say for the goalkeeper position. “I will decide after a good cappuccino (this Wednesday) morning”smiles Luis Enrique, who made a tactical choice in favor of Matfey Safonov on Saturday. So you have to expect everything…
Is not performing at the level expected in the Champions League, with their latest results indicating a struggle to secure points. As Luis Enrique reinforces, the objective remains clear: generate chances, remain committed to their style of play, and improve efficiency, particularly in front of goal.
While Paris Saint-Germain may have endured frustrations in their recent matches, the underlying philosophy remains unchanged under Enrique’s stewardship. He is adamant that the team’s tactical approach and ambitions do not shift depending on the competition, although the stakes are notably higher in Europe. The challenge lies in translating this consistent approach into tangible results, especially against formidable opponents.
The upcoming matches, particularly the vital clash against Salzburg, will serve as crucial tests for PSG’s resolve and adaptability. With the pressure mounting, they must capitalize on opportunities and convert chances into goals to ensure progression in the Champions League. Only by harmonizing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience can they hope to navigate the complexities of European competition effectively. The upcoming fixtures are not merely about points; they will define PSG’s trajectory in both domestic and European arenas as the season unfolds.