ANALYSIS – Luis Enrique is set to rotate his squad this Saturday (21:00) in Angers during matchday 11 of Ligue 1. This presents an opportunity for some players to gain playing time… and make their case for a more prominent role.
For once, Luis Enrique is open about his strategy. The Spanish coach will rotate his squad in Angers this Saturday (21:00) due to the “limited recovery time” between this match and the recent defeat against Atlético Madrid (1-2) on Wednesday in the fourth round of the Champions League. “We want to present the same image as usual in the league. This can help us for what’s to come. There will be changes in the starting eleven. This won’t be an easy match. I need all the players ready,” asserts the 54-year-old coach, acknowledging a “blockage” in terms of effectiveness in the Champions League. This issue is also evident in the league, though it’s less noticeable. A potential trap match awaits the Parisian leaders against an Angers side that recently secured a victory at Monaco and currently sits in 15th place in Ligue 1.
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This match should allow several players to stretch their legs and possibly make an impression. The notion of a “rotation player” is somewhat relative at Paris, as Luis Enrique regularly makes changes, at least in Ligue 1. One thing is clear: this label does not apply to Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho (injured for Angers), Nuno Mendes (overwhelmed against the Colchoneros), Vitinha, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and likely Marco Asensio, who is frequently deployed as a false 9. Gigio Donnarumma is expected to be on the list… unless Luis Enrique demotes him like against Lens (1-0). Nevertheless, for the others, Angers represents an opportunity to shine. Let’s take a closer look.
Fabian Ruiz and Kang-in Lee are not exactly rotation players, but they aren’t regular starters either, making them the closest to the starting eleven. In midfield, either on the right or as a false 9, the South Korean has played every match this season (14), scoring four goals and accumulating 770 minutes. Beyond his impact in terms of merchandise sales, Lee is perfectly suited to Luis Enrique’s style of play. However, he faces stiff competition in all positions he’s aiming for. As for Ruiz, he belongs to the “five top-level midfielders” that the Spanish coach boasts, alongside Vitinha, Joao Neves, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Senny Mayulu (see elsewhere), and Ruiz, “a recognized player, Spanish international, and European champion. He has the ability to do things that supporters and journalists may not see,” emphasizes Luis Enrique. The issue is that Ruiz struggles to express himself at the level he shows when playing for his national team. If the Fabian Ruiz of La Roja were present, he would fit right into the Paris lineup. In the meantime, the trio of Viti/Neves/Zaïre-Emery appear to be ahead in the pecking order.
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Regarding Matfey Safonov, signed for €20 million last summer, the situation is more muddied. Serving as a backup since the start of the season, the Russian international made his first start against Lens (1-0). It was a tactical choice, as explained by Luis Enrique. Is this enough to imagine real competition with Gigio Donnarumma? After all, it was the Italian who guarded the Paris goal against Atlético (1-2), and he didn’t exactly inspire confidence, particularly regarding Atlético’s second goal. Even though Safonov played against the Sang et Or, his fourth match, it was primarily due to his ability to play with his feet and offer an additional solution under pressure from the opposition. Is this a one-time decision or the beginning of a trend?
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€50 million, plus €10 million in bonuses. PSG spared no expense in luring Désiré Doué from Rennes, successfully hijacking him from Bayern. He chose Paris over Munich. Yet, Luis Enrique rarely selects him. Eleven appearances but only 378 minutes. One assist. Hesitant during his appearances, often on the left, Doué has yet to fully express himself in his new colors. “I feel good; the coach trusts me, the team does too, they integrated me very well, and I’m sure I’ll get more playing time,” Doué stated recently. “Very well. There’s no mathematical rule in football. Some players adapt easily, others less so; perhaps a French player finds it easier to adjust, but that’s not always the case; every situation is unique. Most players adapt quickly, some take longer. Désiré Doué is a high-level player for both today and the future. He needs to have the right mentality to help the team today,” notes “Lucho”. Message received?
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International starters, but substitutes in their club? This is the life of Randal Kolo Muani and Milan Skriniar, who find slim prospects under Luis Enrique. Their profiles don’t quite fit. Hoping for better days and to regularly taste action on the pitch, the Frenchman and Slovak are waiting for the international windows… and a transfer. In fact, the former Inter defender was already shown the exit last summer without success. It’s likely that Paris will try to offload him again this winter. “Kolo” seems destined for a similar fate based on recent whispers. The challenge now is finding a destination that suits him. Reportedly, Paris SG is expecting between €40 million and €50 million to part with the ex-Nantais, who they acquired for €95 million. Notably, “Lucho” reiterated recently that he pays close attention to what he sees “in matches and training” when asked about Kolo Muani. A clear way of saying that the French international isn’t putting in a full effort at Poissy?
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Skriniar has had slightly more playing time than the academy graduates this season, totaling 201 minutes in three matches. Randal Kolo Muani has clocked 392 minutes, with 11 matches and two goals; he was substituted at halftime in the most recent match against Nice (1-1). The Bondy native could have been the Paris hero against Atlético Madrid… had Achraf Hakimi spotted him alone at the six-yard box late in the game. In any case, “Kolo” is neither a classic no. 9 nor a false 9. Therefore, he doesn’t fit into the categories “Lucho” has in mind. On the right, where we’ve seen him shine while playing for France? Ousmane Dembélé, Lee, or Doué are preferred by the Spanish coach…
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Having delivered several strong performances last winter in his early Paris weeks, Lucas Beraldo has struggled to confirm his status. His passing quality is apparent, but the rest has been more challenging. The young (20 years old) Brazilian international still has a bright future ahead of him. In the meantime, he’s finding it tough. Luis Enrique doesn’t help matters by often playing him on the left. With eight matches and 574 minutes under his belt, the Spanish coach doesn’t seem too concerned when composing his central defense. Beraldo is not among the selections.
The left-back Yoram Zague and attacker Ibrahim Mbaye have seen limited playtime. Zague has 71 minutes in one match, while Mbaye has 83 minutes across five appearances. At just 18 and 16 years old, respectively, they have time on their side. But for now, Luis Enrique shows them limited trust. It’s a different story for Senny Mayulu. At 18 years old, like Zague, the Blanc-Mesnil native has played 131 minutes in seven matches. Significantly, Luis Enrique includes him in his list of “five top-level midfielders” alongside Vitinha, Neves, Zaïre-Emery, and Ruiz. With one goal already against Strasbourg (4-2), the U20 international, who previously scored in the Cup last season, boasts audacity, versatility, and technical skills… In short, everything that his Spanish coach values.
