PSG defeated Toulouse (3-0) this Friday, at the Parc des Princes, during the 12th day of Ligue 1.
TOPS
Neves, a jewel but not only
After a possibly soporific half hour, during this PSG-Toulouse (3-0) of the 12th day of Ligue 1, Joao Neves woke up the Parc des Princes with a marvelous volley from the right, at the entrance of the penalty area. Bright. The Portuguese has been involved in eight goals since the start of the season, no other midfielder has done as well in Ligue 1. Remember that he is the best passer in the championship with six goals. Beyond the accounting aspect, Neves also shone in his favorite field, recovery and duels. And PSG, lacking physical density, obviously needs it. Luis Enrique gave him an unusual left-back position in the second half. Knowing that Paris had the ball for most of the time, the former Benfica player mainly officiated in the defensive trio alongside Milan Skriniar and Lucas Beraldo. He did well. All good.
Hakimi as a good captain
If it is not yet official, the extension of Achraf Hakimi is confirmed. This is obviously excellent news and a big blow for PSG. The Moroccan honored his status this Friday. Eight duels won, nine balls recovered, match records, one interception. In addition, he is involved in the first two Parisian goals, decisive passer for Neves and it is he who crosses on that of Beraldo. 107 balls touched. Taulier.
La surprise Skriniar/Berlado
Faced with several absences in defense (Hernandez, Mendes, Marquinhos, etc.), Luis Enrique was forced to tinker in defense to face Toulouse. The Beraldo/Skriniar connection was scary enough. She shone on Friday. The Slovak did good with his knowledge of positioning and his roughness, even if the referee often penalized him during the first act. A solid match for the man who many imagine will leave next winter… Lucas Beraldo also did the job, he who often has to play in a left-back position which only moderately suits his qualities. Some good interceptions. And a goal, that of 2-0, which further enhances the performance of the Brazilian international. Very busy with the ball in this attack-defense, they touched 121 and 114 balls respectively. 10 duels won out of 13 between them, and 12 balls recovered in total. Good surprise.
FLOPS
Gifted gets through
“It is possible that his ideal position is more in the middle than up front, but I try to awaken in him the desire to understand how we play in different positions”indicated Luis Enrique on Thursday, at a press conference the day before the match, regarding Désiré Doué. Regularly aligned up front since the start of the season, the former Rennais had the opportunity to evolve in his preferred register. However, he was not more to his advantage than usual. Slow, timid, borrowed, Doué was the first player replaced in the second half. Logic. Missed opportunity.
Babicka, Magri and the Toulouse attackers miss the boat
Whether they are starters or starters, the Toulouse attackers were struggling on Friday evening. The Ghobo/King/Aboukhlal trio did not have much to eat during a first act in which the Toulouse residents mainly tried to defend. Shavy Babicka, for his part, missed the inevitable (71st), he who presented himself in front of Matfey Safonov after a risky restart from Warren Zaire-Emery. When we have as little ammunition as the TFC had on Friday, with a game plan that we would kindly describe as cautious, we need maximum efficiency. The Toulouse residents paid to see… Also entering the game, Franck Magri offered himself a double opportunity against Safonov (80th), bad choice.
Barcola and the discreet Parisian offensives
Two midfielders and a defender for the Parisian goals. And the attackers? They hardly shone on Friday evening, in a frozen Parc des Princes and with sparse stands. Bradley Barcola was very discreet, like the false nine Marco Asensio. Ousmane Dembélé, back in business after missing the Blues rally due to injury, tried a lot, without success. Not very reassuring before facing Bayern who dominated Augsburg (3-0) with a hat-trick from Harry Kane at the same time. A Parisian striker still proved decisive on Friday evening, Randal Kolo Muani, decisive passer for Vitinha's goal, who came on at the break in place of Yoram Zague.
Sierra and McKenzie ruin everything
Toulouse was in a strong moment, with several very heated situations and PSG feverish in the second half. Then this corner, Hakimi's cross and the incomprehension of the Sierro/McKenzie tandem, the two men getting in the way. It offered a goal and break ball to Lucas Beraldo, who wasn't asking for that much. The kind of mistake that is expensive… Too bad, because Vincent Sierro was one of the best Toulouse players in this meeting. So close, so far…
