This is the big question that all Parisian supporters are asking after recent PSG matches where scoring a goal was particularly complicated: how Paris will be able to deceive Atlético Madrid's renowned Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak? Here are some answers.
By trusting Ousmane Dembélé
The statement may seem totally crazy given the Parisian winger's last Champions League match against PSV (1-1) but he is nevertheless the player in the current squad who has the best record against Jan Oblak, goalkeeper of reference of Atletico for many years. In four games with Barça, and barely more than 200 minutes, Dembélé deceived the Slovenian goalkeeper twice, which probably makes the latter the one against whom he has had the most success in his entire career with a goal scored all barely 100 minutes. And as long as Dembélé is in an axial position in which he disperses less when striking, the ambidextrous Parisian attacker could well turn the game over.
In contrast to this record, we find the unfortunate Marco Asensio who has only scored one goal in no less than sixteen matches against Atlético, although rarely as a starter.
By not hesitating to provoke questionable situations in the surface
The appointment of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak to lead this PSG/Atlético Madrid did not only bring back good memories to Parisian supporters. If he did not hesitate to whistle for an English handball in the area in the last minute of PSG/Newcastle last year, he also refused several penalties that were much more legitimate against the Parisian team a little earlier in the course. of the meeting. The Polish referee is not really the type to be very clear in his refereeing, capable of whistling just about anything and everything, sometimes even going against UEFA directives.
But the Pole is not afraid to whistle penalties, quite the contrary, and especially for the home team. PSG must therefore not hesitate to create questionable situations in the opposing area (more or less intentional hands, shirt pulling, complicated clashes to referee) which can result in a penalty which would be more or less justifiable.
Pressing the right side of Atlético Madrid
The days when Atlético's defensive quartet was the most inviolable safe in European football are long gone, and not just because Simeone is missing in central defense. Once impregnable, Madrid's rear base has gradually deteriorated and today no longer really has the quality of yesteryear. This is particularly true on the right side where Witsel, a converted ex-midfielder, and Nahuel Molina, a right back more comfortable defending than attacking, are clearly struggling to block the lane. On this flank, PSG has the advantage of speed and mobility with Barcola and Mendes, they must take advantage of it.
By hurting a set piece
PSG's defensive set pieces are regularly singled out, and rightly so, but Paris is a frankly interesting team when it comes to their offensive set pieces, with very good diversity. Few noticed it but Hakimi's goal against PSV came from a corner played on opposite sides. At Arsenal, against Girona or once again against PSV, Paris was also very dangerous on set pieces, finding the posts or a very inspired goalkeeper on the line. We must not despair but on the contrary continue to apply ourselves and fate will inevitably turn.
Marquinhos has not scored for almost two years at club and saw his last attempt against PSV saved in an improbable way, he nevertheless remains a player who is skilful in front of goal and has more than enough means to score. Neves was also very close to scoring several times from a corner while Pacho only dreams of scoring his first goal with Paris. On the stopped phases, PSG has weapons.
By relying on its midfielders
Despite the numerous missed opportunities, a truth particularly visible in the Champions League, PSG nevertheless scores very regularly since it has already scored 31 goals in just 13 matches, or practically 2.5 goals per game of average. But if the capital club scores regularly, they cannot really count on their midfielders to do so. Luis Enrique publicly raised the subject last week, setting the bar for ten goals this season but the Parisian midfielders are very far from the mark, even if it is especially the attackers who are at the heart of the criticism.
João Neves certainly scored in Marseille but it was his only goal, Vitinha has not scored a goal since the end of August in Lille from the penalty spot and Zaire-Emery since the previous match which was the first match of the season at the Parc of the Princes against Montpellier. Knowing that Ruiz and Mayulu also scored once, this means that each midfielder has only scored once this season. While Atletico should as always present a reinforced mesh around its surface, the solution may come from an inspiration from one of its midfield players. They already did it last year in the Champions League and have more than enough capacity to do it again.
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