“ Attack, as always. » Luis Enrique makes no secrets when discussing the philosophy of “his” PSG before challenging AC Milan, this Wednesday (9 p.m., Canal and RMC Sport 1), at the Parc des Princes, in the Champions League . And that won’t surprise anyone… “Until now, we’ve always attacked, we’ve always had possession. This is the most important for us. We’re not going to change. It’s my philosophy, I think the team has assimilated it and that’s why I’m here,” says the Spanish coach, taken by the madness of grandeur in his choices at Newcastle (4-1 defeat ), three weeks ago, against a team that was not brilliant, but solid and efficient. That’s all it took for the Magpies to explode a PSG leaning (much) too far forward. The former Barça coach, however, declared himself “satisfied” at the end of the match, repeating it several times since. He was the only one…
Although… Stefano Pioli seems to be on the same wavelength: “I of course saw this match. And I think if they were to play it again, the result probably wouldn’t be the same. PSG had big chances to lead… Football is unpredictable,” said the Italian coach on Tuesday evening.
This match against Milan, still looking for a first success in the Champions League this season (2 draws) and beaten in Serie A by its two biggest rivals (1-5 against Inter at the start of the season and 0-1 against Juve on Sunday), but semi-finalist of C1 last season and second in the championship (the Serie A ranking here), nevertheless represents a test for Enrique’s offensive ambitions. Again last Saturday, against Strasbourg (3-0), he allowed himself some tactical eccentricities, notably with this hybrid role between midfielder and… right back for Carlos Soler (scorer and passer), this line of four in front, three real professional defenders on the scoresheet at kick-off… “Every match is different,” he said after this big victory over a weak and harmless team.
In any case, PSG will not present the same starting lineup against Milan as against Racing. Spared, Ousmane Dembélé, Manuel Ugarte, Marquinhos and Warren Zaire-Emery should indeed find their place. Victim of “trauma to the left ankle”, the fourth named is fit. As for the animation and the system, we will still have to wait.
One thing is certain: Milan is not Strasbourg. It is not because the Italians have not yet scored in C1 that we should downplay their offensive qualities… “I think we achieved two excellent performances,” judges Pioli regarding the scoreless draws against Newcastle and at Dortmund. But football is strange, unpredictable, and we didn’t score. We will perhaps have fewer chances (this Wednesday) but we will convert five of them by only shooting four times on goal…” With in particular its caviar left, this duo composed of the former Lille player Rafael Leão and the Blue Théo Hernandez ( the brother of the Parisian Lucas), Pioli’s 4-3-3 has enough to make Luis Enrique’s possible tactical originalities pay in cash. And this even if the victory against Dortmund (2-0) at the start of the campaign was reassuring. “We will obviously have to defend against Milan. I see that our supporters appreciate when we recover the ball high, and this mentality at the Park, the players perceive it,” underlines Lucho.
Players who know well that it will be necessary to avoid repeating the “mistakes” made at Newcastle, like Gianluigi Donnarumma. “The difference in C1 is the mistakes… You have to do as little as possible and attack. Our style is to attack and try to hurt Milan,” swears the ex-Milanese, paraphrasing his coach, Luis Enrique, who will live and die by his ideas: “We will always play the same way. » For better or for worse… Obviously, if Marquinhos finds it interesting to give the ball to the opposing attackers, like at St-James’ Park, it will be more complicated…
To see if the former FC Barcelona coach will be able, this time, to place the cursor adequately, in terms of system, animation, but also choice of players. With Vitinha rather than a fourth striker for example? Everything is possible when you start with the idea of having “11 attackers and 11 defenders”, as is his case. Really everything… “Even if he doesn’t have four attackers, he always plays with four offensive players,” notes coach Pioli. And added: “He did a brilliant job, he completely changed the face of PSG in a few months. Before, they relied on the talent of their individuals but they did not have a team. I admire him as a coach and as a person.” The Italian technician doesn’t really know what to do: “It can be risky to stay behind because of their qualities, but also to press them high because of their speed.”
Before facing Milan twice in a row (return on November 7 at San Siro), the room for maneuver in group F (the ranking here) is in any case slim for PSG, second with three points, behind Newcastle (4 pts) and ahead of Milan (2 pts) and Dortmund (1 pt). “ It’s a turning point for everyone and a great opportunity too. I think we will have to wait until the last day to find out who will qualify. These are two vital matches for us as well as for them because they can determine the future,” analyzes Luis Enrique. In these conditions, no choice: you have to win.
