Lens: the impressive metamorphosis of João Neves continues

After the big victory last weekend against OM (0-3) at the Vélodrome, Paris Saint-Germain had the mission to achieve another success in the championship, especially since AS Monaco fell against Angers yesterday (0- 1). At the Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique’s players welcomed RC Lens, who had to redeem themselves from a failed Northern derby against LOSC. For this poster, Luis Enrique preferred to call on the main executives despite the tenure of Matvey Safonov and Fabian Ruiz. In midfield, we notably found the pair of Portuguese internationals made up of Vitinha and João Neves. If the talent and importance of the first are no longer to be proven after two complete and excellent seasons in Paris, the second, arrived from Benfica for an amount of 50 million euros last summer, has been gaining momentum for several weeks and thus gains maturity and regularity over the course of the meetings.

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Already prodigious against Olympique de Marseille with 96% successful passes and his first goal scored in Parisian colors, the native of Tavira did it again in this golden display against RC Lens. Luis Enrique had already praised him earlier in the season and gave him a little time for his integration to be complete: “What I expect from him is what I expect from all walks of life. He is a player perfectly suited to my idea of ​​the game, he has a vital characteristic for us, which is not to lose balls under pressure, few players have these characteristics. There is his vision of the game, his physical power, his intelligence, his relationship with his teammates, his rhythm and his intensity… I think he adapts very quickly but he is only at the beginning of his adaptation”had already analyzed the Spanish coach at the beginning of October. By stringing together high-flying performances, the 20-year-old Portuguese has transformed himself into a true leader in the field, enough to relieve his teammate and compatriot at his side.

A Portuguese-speaking duo that works

Even if he did not score or deliver an assist, João Neves produced another copy full of success with notably 90 balls touched, 86% passing accuracy including 2 key passes. All with 12 duels won and 8 successful tackles. A performance which shows the great volume of play of the Portuguese who continues to be essential both for the attacking trio in front, but also his teammates in midfield since his compatriot is much less lonely compared to past seasons. By becoming a danger in creation, João Neves enhances every opportunity for his team. This is reassuring for a team which, despite a real lack of realism and efficiency, knows how to create countless opportunities. The Portuguese midfielder, who has 1 goal and 6 assists in Ligue 1, is reshuffling all the cards in the Parisian rotation. Paris found a second conductor to bring danger and provide balls in front.

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Questioned after the match, the Spanish coach, Luis Enrique, was keen to underline the great ability of his team to dominate the debates in the game despite shortcomings in the last gesture. And if Paris is so strong in obtaining these opportunities, it is largely thanks to its duo Vitinha – Neves in the axis: “The team has the right attitude, we have a lot of chances, even if we don’t score every time. We are better than last year because it is more difficult to score. Today there were too many transitions“. For example, Neves has won more duels than Fabian Ruiz, Warren Zaire-Emery, Kang-in Lee and Vitinha combined, which undoubtedly proves his versatility and importance. The one who cited Marco Verratti as an example to follow when he arrived at PSG is taking the best ingredients from the Little Hibou. To the delight of Parisian supporters…