While Paris Saint-Germain ended up winning against OGC Nice (1-0), one aspect of the match sparked strong criticism.
Paris Saint-Germain was entitled to two “specifics” before their shock against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Whether in Lorient (1-1) or against Nice (1-0), Luis Enrique’s men had to face two very grouped teams.
The statistics prove it: 78% ball possession in Lorient, 15 shots to 5 and 8 corners to 0; 77% possession against Nice, 28 shots to 5 and 11 corners to 1. But unlike Merlus, who are struggling to maintain their position with few resources, OGC Nice is a European team, supposed to be able to offer another type of game.
The very defensive attitude of Franck Haise’s team angered Walid Acherchour. “ We had a Yevhan Diouf
in the kitchen of the Cardinal (a restaurant at Porte de St-Cloud) they were so low, railed the RMC consultant, not unhappy with Gonçalo Ramos’ winning goal in added time. Football is rewarded in the match. »
PSG-Nice, Luis Enrique reacts
In the mixed zone, Ramos himself had his little phase on the Gym. “ It’s very difficult to play with these teams, we had to work more, but it’s important to win. In Ligue 1, they defend a lot, they have eleven goalkeepers while in the Champions League they look us in the eye,”
confided the Portuguese striker, who expects a different type of match against Bayern.
Finally, one of the only ones not to have expressed reservations about this tactical choice of Nice is Luis Enrique, who perfectly accepts what each opponent offers him. “I am the coach of PSG. I’m looking to improve my team. The rest of the things that happen during the match, I’m very respectful,
he confided.
I like to attack a low block because everything has to be precise but, at the same time, there is no time and space. It’s pretty. You can make moves with the ball and without the ball and there’s a little bit of strategy that I like and that I know because it’s the phase of the game that I know the most. For me, it’s nice and it’s frustrating when you face a team like Nice because they do it very well and they have quality in defense. But I think it’s normal and we accept that. Of course I understand everything, it’s football, you have to know how to adapt. »
