Sometimes, having a three-goal lead and playing in numerical superiority while completely controlling events on the rival's pitch could be all elements that push a coach to make more daring choices. Especially when one of his players is forced to leave the field because of stomach aches. However, last Sunday, it was Lucas Beraldo that Luis Enrique sent to the coal when it was time to bring out Nuno Mendes. Chilly, the Spanish tactician? Rather simply wanting to maintain his sacrosanct tactical straitjacket, as the role required of the Brazilian defender is similar to that in which the Portuguese will-o'-the-wisp has been trapped for several months.
The turning point of rigor
Is building a four-man defense with two full-backs as offensive as Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes viable? Luis Enrique had many months to work on this equation, taking advantage of the Portuguese player's long injury to balance everything with a Lucas Hernandez with a much more secure profile on the left wing. Thus, the Asturian built a base of three players stuck in the back line during the possession phase, in return offering almost total freedom to Hakimi. Which the person concerned made good use of, combining at very high speed with Ousmane Dembélé, projecting himself into the opposing surface with almost every offensive and even allowing himself to come and play playmaker in certain sequences.
There will be other times when I believe balance is very important. In this case and this phase of play, Nuno is at the back. You have to have a series of elements for it to have depth.
Yes, but since March Nuno Mendes has made his comeback to competition, and the starting equation has become much more concrete. Since then, the boy has seen his offensive weight reduced to nothing. After having seen him make a series of tumbles during his first two seasons at Porte d'Auteuil, the public at the Parc des Princes must now savor each outburst as much as possible, well aware that the next one risks having to wait a long time. “ It remains the same position. I know he's an incredible attacking player and I think the team needs thattried for the umpteenth time to justify Enrique after the victory against Girona in September on a goal caused by Mendes. There will be other times when I believe balance is very important. In this case and this phase of play, Nuno is at the back. You have to have a series of elements for it to have depth. »
Too tight, this new suit
Author in particular of six assists in 2022-2023 under the orders of Christophe Galtier (most often as a piston in a five-man defense), the Portuguese international has seen his offensive statistics melt like snow in the sun since Luis took office Enrique. Now, the red and blue attack relies on other strengths. However, imagining Mendes forming with Bradley Barcola an association as effective as that observed for a year on the right side would be enough to make one salivate. But is this even possible? Luis Enrique never placed his teams three at the back. Could a midfielder be given the instruction to complete the backline alongside the two central players? The ability of Vitinha or João Neves to multiply to organize the game in the four corners of the field or the repeated runs of Warren Zaire-Emery seem too precious in the eyes of their coach to be sacrificed.
Worse, could the possible returns of Lucas Hernandez or Presnel Kimpembe between now and the end of the year completely reshuffle the cards? The former Bavarian is much more comfortable in this hybrid, primarily defensive role. As for the titi, if he returns to a correct level after almost two years of absence, he would offer more guarantees, in particular against wingers on fire, like Jadon Sancho last spring. “ He is a full-back with exceptional physical and technical abilities. He is still very young, we are trying to have a position in attack and defense that can give us more things to the team », Enrique was still beating the pot last month before the visit of Strasbourg. What if his best contribution to the collective was in a new tailor-made costume, yet to be invented?
Luis Enrique doesn't see the problem with PSG's attack
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