Lionel Messi’s switch to PSG will result in tactical headache for the coach

0
106

If Lionel Messi turns into the newest star to assist Paris Saint-Germain’s quest to win the elusive Champions League, coach Mauricio Pochettino should work out one of the simplest ways to accommodate him within the top-heavy assault.

Messi bid a tearful farewell to Barcelona on Sunday. At the identical time, PSG had been in talks with their workforce and making an attempt to finalize a deal to signal them, amid studies Messi went to Paris for a gathering on Sunday.

Talk of Messi’s imminent arrival prompted a number of hundred PSG followers to attend outdoors Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, which is usually utilized by PSG and the nationwide workforce.

Messi will turn out to be the most important star coming to the Parc des Princes since cash-rich Qatari house owners QSI took over the membership 10 years in the past.

Messi’s arrival can even be overtaken by the fanfare of Neymar’s world-record signing from Barcelona in 2017 for 222 million euros ($261 million) or Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s openly self-promotional presentation by the Eiffel Tower in 2012.

He by no means gained the Ballon d’Or, not to mention Messi’s six data.

This legendary soccer workforce of 672 targets for Barca consists of a rare 50-goal season in 2012; 96 league targets general and a exceptional 133 in 2012 and 2013; Scoring eight Spanish league and 6 Champions League titles.

Not to say 4 Champions League trophies with Barcelona, ​​a file 91 targets in a calendar yr for membership and nation, and a Copa America title with Argentina.

Even Messi’s age – he’s 34 – can have little impact on the massive anticipation that his arrival will generate in French soccer and past.

But the place is Argentine teammate Pochettino going to play him within the assault that features Neymar, French World Cup star Kylian Mbappe, Copa America match winner Angel Di Maria and sharpshooter Mauro Icardi?

Mbappe was price 180 million euros ($212 million) and scored a career-high 42 targets final season. The membership paid 50 million euros ($59 million) for Icardi. He confirmed his ultimate expertise in PSG’s league-opener on Saturday evening – a 2-1 win at Troyes – and scored 34 targets in 64 video games for PSG.

Icardi is bound to fall behind within the pecking order and will even be bought or loaned out to take a number of the weight off the membership’s enormous wage invoice.

Pochettino wanted to resolve whether or not to make use of Di Maria in a four-man assault on the threat of unbalanced midfield. PSG confirmed final season – and the way in which it scored a mushy purpose from a nook towards Troyes – that it wanted safety from behind.

defined | Why is Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona?

Here’s a take a look at potential PSG tactical formations with Messi:

4-3-3 – Messi on the suitable aspect of the assault, Neymar on the left and Mbappe enjoying his favourite centre-forward. Messi has performed this function a number of occasions in Barca. But whereas 4-3-3 supplies extra safety in midfield, there isn’t any room for Di Maria.

4-2-3-1 – This time Di Maria takes his place on the suitable financial institution, with Messi enjoying behind Mbappe as a playmaker and Neymar once more attacking from the left. Very good on the attention however a two-man midfielder – presumably Marco Verratti and new signing Georginio Wijnaldum – will make PSG susceptible to counterattack.

3-5-2 —Probably the most suitable choice with Messi going ahead with Mbappe, and Neymar passing his crafty checks and enjoying behind them. In between there will likely be welcome help from Veratti and Wijnaldum. But this formation will as soon as once more be on the expense of Di Maria, who was arguably PSG’s finest participant final season together with Mbappe and goalkeeper Keeler Navas.

.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here