Sergio Ramos, who entered the match in the 72nd minute during PSG’s 2-0 victory over Brest on Saturday, prompted the capital club to change its system to three central defenders. A tactical scheme worked out by Mauricio Pochettino but on which the quality of the Parisians’ game should not depend, believes Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The first steps of Sergio Ramos in the Parc des Princes have opened new horizons for PSG at the beginning of 2022. He only appeared three times in the Parisian shirt before this match against Brest, the 35-year-old defender intends to get rid of his muscle problems and continue with the capital club. If he succeeds, his presence would expand the tactical possibilities available to Mauricio Pochettino, as indicated by his appearance on Saturday.
The entry into play in the 72nd minute of the Asturian upset the face of the Parisian team, at least in its organization. By inserting him in the axis between Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos, the Argentine coach returned to an approach interviewed by sequences during the first part of the season, and in particular in Lorient for the last of 2021. This new one uses three axial defenders testifies to the reflection of the Parisian staff on this subject.
Pochettino did not hide it from the Canal+ microphone after the game, although he also linked it to the opposite tactic: “It was a good opportunity to test this game system. Brest was playing with two attackers, so it allowed us to test our three-defense system and see how it can work at different times in the game.” We work on it at certain times. Playing some games with three central defenders is also an option. »
A solution that allows the capital club to distribute defensive tasks differently with higher lateral positions and one more player in the middle to better protect the midfield. A solution to free up the attacking players a little more, especially in view of the returns of Lionel Messi and Neymar, who will soon be associated with Mbappé again? But for Gianluigi Donnarumma, this tactical evolution is not, however, the remedy for all PSG’s problems. The Italian international believes that the club from the capital must be able to play well whatever the system.
“With Sergio, we played three. But it’s not the tactical plan that makes us play better, it’s the mentality we show on the pitch. You have to know how to adapt to any situation during a match, explained the Parisian goalkeeper after PSG’s victory on Saturday. Tonight, with the entry of Sergio and the passage of three defenders, we defended well. But we train for that, to be able to change patterns during the game and avoid getting into trouble in the event of a tactical change. But really, even when you play three, the principles remain the same, you have to stay alert and focused. »
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