Four days into Ligue 1, PSG are showing great promise and some certainty already, even if not everything is perfect.
With 8 points out of a possible 12, Paris Saint-Germain did not achieve a flawless result in this first series of four Ligue 1 matches, which concluded with a victory in Lyon (4-1), Sunday 3 September. But at the time of the first international break of the season, and a preliminary assessment, Paris Saint-Germain is only two points behind leaders Monaco, after two draws and two heavy victories over Lens and Lyon.
Above all, the Parisians have already shown great progress in the game, without being finished yet. And that’s even if some of PSG’s repeated mistakes haven’t been erased (yet) by Luis Enrique and the new staff. However, the Spanish coach’s face had to be seen, seized by a fit of bloody rage at the end of the first half, when his troops were already leading 4-0 at Lyon.
Stifling environment
Luis Enrique, known for his unremitting demands, kept his men under pressure for as long as possible, although the pressure inherent in such a lead was eased, even before half-time. “still far from my personal requirements”The Spanish technician backed down after the match. This is also one of the rare black points in the Parisian demonstration at the Groupama stadium: the fact that Paris calmed down in the second half, as the European leaders, without pity, took the point home. Instead, PSG let Lyon come back bit by bit, conceding a string of chances (19 shots for Lyon including eight on target).
“In the second half, we let it go a little bit. We can’t do that! It’s 4,5,6,7… That’s respect for the opponent! We played too easy without realizing it, we can’t do that”Vitinha, the Portuguese midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, noted, “We must do better. We could have won more, with all due respect to Lyon.”
With a Prime Video microphone, Vitinha has also been on the ball, since the start of the season. The Portuguese, along with Manuel Ugarte and Warren Zaire Emery, form the new trio in Parisian midfield. These three men, so well-integrated and active in the middle, are one of the things that make the start of the season happy for PSG. The Parisian midfielders are able to press intensely, keep the ball patiently, but also speed up the game with passes, causing them to stifle the opposition.
An attack that looks for itself, but it’s really eye-catching
Thanks to their constant activity and technology, Vitinha, Zaire, Emre and Ugarte are above all launch pads for an unfinished, but already formidable, Paris offensive. While waiting to see Randall Kolo Mwane (injured against Lyon) linked up with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, or Gonzalo Ramos, who has appeared sparingly at the moment, PSG’s attack is already strong, as is Mbappe, who already has four goals this season. season.
Repositioned on the left, but free to re-focus thanks to the offsetting work and deflection of Vitenha, the Frenchman really thrives in this PSG version of Luis Enrique. On the other hand, Ousmane Dembele still lacks points of reference, such as his chaotic performance at the Groupama Stadium. Finally, Marco Asensio takes advantage of the absences of the pure duo to seize his opportunity in an unusual role for him. Evidence that Paris Saint-Germain is indeed on the offensive.
