Atlético: the unlikely drowning of Nuno Mendes and Bradley Barcola

Paris needed points, Paris needed to win but Paris fell terribly at the Parc des Princes this Wednesday evening against Atlético de Madrid (1-2). Everything started well for the locals with Warren Zaire-Emery opening the score on a pass from Ousmane Dembélé but it was without counting on a Parisian relaxation but above all individual errors which allowed, at the same time, the Nahuel Molina equalized in the first half then Angel Correa’s winning goal in the final seconds of the match. Result of the races: new Parisian disillusionment in Europe and the same evils which are growing, namely the lack of realism and efficiency: “I don’t think anyone who saw this match can say that the result was fair. But it’s like life, unfair. Today is a shit day, starting tomorrow we will start thinking about things we can improve, if we can improve, because we definitely can» said Luis Enrique at a press conference.

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If the statistics of the former Lyonnais are no longer to be remembered in Ligue 1 (8 goals, 2 assists in 10 matches), he is only a shadow of himself in C1 despite the confidence given by Luis Enrique: “His advice that I keep in mind? To play free. When you arrive at such a big club, it always takes a little time to let go 100%. This was the very first instruction he gave me. I still remember it, on my first start against Marseille, he told me to play as I know how, without worrying, and that’s what he still asks me. He talks to me a lot, whether it’s good or not so good, he’s always there to give us advice. He doesn’t let us go, that gives me a lot of confidence”had nevertheless entrusted the number 29 of PSG in the columns of Parisian the day before the meeting. However this Wednesday evening, against Atlético de Madrid, Bradley Barcola, credited with a rating of 3.5 by the editorial staff of Foot Marketsymbolized everything that is wrong with the Parisian attack.

Individual errors and lack of impact

It’s an open secret, but Luis Enrique’s system, articulated in 4-3-3, relies mainly on the right wing with the pair composed of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé and rightly so. With caused fouls, quick breakthroughs down the side and numerous attempted shots or crosses, the Moroccan and the Frenchman are the most impactful players in attack for Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the waste of the Blues international, the majority of the danger comes from this famous right side and the trio in the middle Vitinha, Warren Zaire Emery and João Neves are well aware of this. But on the other hand, it’s the extreme opposite that we saw again this evening against the Colchoneros. Despite very good performances in Ligue 1, Bradley Barcola is still looking for big reference matches in the Champions League. Served with the ball on several occasions, he brought very little danger, locking himself on his side, trapped by the triangle Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone or even Axel Witsel and Rodrigo De Paul often helping to stop the former OL player. Out of 70 balls touched, Barcola lost the ball 17 times, committed a foul and lost five of his eight duels.

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An inefficient left wing, even invisible therefore, and if we go back a little lower. The Portuguese full-back, Nuno Mendes, had a disastrous evening, which is paradoxical since the former Sporting nugget touched a huge total of 122 balls. Despite everything, he lost around twenty balls, made three mistakes and above all seemed to play out of time on several occasions. It was his offer that provided Nahuel Molina’s equalizing goal. Without saying his last name, Luis Enrique is aware of the problems of his team which offers too many goals to the opponents for free: “The goal is a bad joke. The opponent has not reached the edge of the area and still scores a goal. I can only talk about my players. The goal hurt us, like all the teams. And especially if they are goals in which the opponent had nothing to do. Football is like that and we accept it. The faith of my players is unshakeable“, he declared at a press conference. Often surpassed on his side, Nuno Mendes, who received a rating of 3 by Foot Markethad no impact in attack with few successful crosses. In any case, the scale of the task is enormous. Paris Saint-Germain must wake up, on all levels.