Challenges PSG Will Face In Champions League Opener
Today is Paris St Germain’s enormous opportunity to begin their Champions League campaign in a Parisian-esque style–bold and sexy. This is the season where their ability to become favourites has never been more realistic. A club that has undergone intelligent and successful transformations in the last 3 years, Paris have dominated France as well as made their permanent mark on Europe.
The only problem lies in their weakness which always seem to be exposed while playing on the European stage. Les Bleus have had exciting Champions League runs in the last two years, but both times the French side hasn’t advanced out in the quarter finals. In 2012/2013 season Paris lost on away goals to Barcelona–the following season after making a fantastic impact on Chelsea at the Parc Des Princes in the first leg, Paris didn’t use their chances and were again knocked out on away goals.
PSG and Le President are all very keen on keeping their sites on the coveted trophy of Europe. This is the year where if coach Laurent Blanc doesn’t develop the team past the quarter finals, he may be in deep, deep water. Laurent Blanc’s coaching style is simple yet effective.
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Coming from a career of superb defending from nation and club, Blanc has turned Paris into a calm passing force which process attacks right from their full backs all the way to the front line. The only problem is, his tactics havent change much since his first year with the club. He is also reluctant to rotate players from league games to European games, which heightens risks of injury and overt training.
The last problem with Blanc’s style is he is too stubborn to change it, including formation from game to game. When he alters it does not offer enough influence to make a difference–in this case it means that Paris’ style becomes predictable. Including to teams they have already face and will face again, such as Barcelona.
The challenges that Paris will likely face with Ajax is their squads current defensive mess. Paris has suffered set backs with a number of their first pick defenders out of commission due to injury, including captain Thiago Silva. Prior to the match David Luiz suffered a knee injury as well as new Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier suffered a terrifying head injury, both during international duty. French football journalist , Jonathan Johnson reported the status of both today; it surely possible the two will be featured in the squad, but not necessarily as starters.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc says David Luiz & Serge Aurier face late fitness tests ahead of tomorrow's clash vs. Ajax.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) September 16, 2014
PSG's David Luiz & Serge Aurier trained normally with the rest of the squad this evening, ahead of tomorrow night's clash vs. Ajax.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) September 16, 2014
One of the brighter sides of this equation, is that with the likes of Marquinhos and Lucas Digne having more pitch time during Ligue 1 matches their presence on the pitch will be match fit. Zoumana Camara, a PSG veteran has also shared his taste of starting time in the centre back position, scoring his 1st goal in seven years against Rennes this past Sunday–also brings a tint of brightness to the replacements of Paris’ preferred back line.
Either way, Thiago Silva is still the most important man in Paris’ defense; his partnership with David Luiz is vital for a mature and efficient back line.Otherwise the leadership role is hardly filled. Silva offers a captains attitude, incredible read of the game and is an instrumental part of leading the defense and entire team.
Another problem area which could be exposed by Ajax today is Paris’ midfield. Javier Pastore has been playing out of position, although his effective versatility has been on display, the likes of Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta have more Champions League experience from last year than the Argentine. Creating big chances is what Paris must strive to do–to prelude their upcoming meeting with bigger club they must create a earlier warning to them and Europe.
The group stage, including today’s match are a significant time to capitalize on this idea. Paris also have a shaky track record away from home. So far in the Ligue 1, Paris have either drawn or won by a slim sub par performance compared to their dominance at home. This can happen to many clubs–but to initialize their true threat to other clubs they must make the most of every opportunity.