How PSG could line up in 2021/22

THE DIFFERENT WAYS PSG'S INCREDIBLE SQUAD COULD LINE UP

-Drish Shah

-Editor: Mitansh Kagalwala

Photo via ussoccerplayers


Paris Saint Germain has had one of their best, and arguably THE best, transfer windows in the summer of 2021, boosting their already strong squad with added firepower in the form of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georgino Wijnaldum, all for 60 million euros. On paper, they look undefeatable. Their attacking trio is fearsome, with Mbappe, Neymar and Messi all taking to the pitch side by side.

Many of PSG’s previous star players, like Di Maria, Kimpembe, Draxler and Navas will be pushed to the bench to make space for PSG’s new signings.

With so many star players however, comes the need to manage the dressing room and deal with the pressure. Further, PSG’s firepower seems to be heavily tilted towards the attack, and Pocchettino will have to find a way to balance the side if the Parisiens want to avoid a fate similar to Real Madrid’s Galacticos.

Defense- The defence will push higher up to close down space and to allow for fast build up play and rapid attacks by PSG’s front three. It is expected that PSG will play with 4 at the back, or even with 3 centre halves and 2 wingbacks.

On the back of an excellent Euro, the ever-reliable and young Donnaruma will be putting Navas on the bench. Ramos will be playing alongside captain Marquinhos, giving some much needed stability and experience to PSG’s defence. Hakimi, playing at either right back or right wingback will run-up to support the attack and provide width, while the more defensive minded Bernat stays back on the other wing. Pocchettino’s main challenge with the defence will be to balance defensive duties, as Hakimi, Ramos and Marquinhos love to push up. Hence, PSG may start with decide to start with 3 CB’s in Ramos, Marquinhos and Kimpembe, with Hakimi and Bernat playing as wing backs to offer additional defensive cover.  

Midfield- Predictably, Marco Verratti will be in charge of providing further creative spark from the middle of the pitch, while Wijnaldum will occupy the role of a box-to-box midfielder and a physical presence for the Parisiens. Further, Pablo Sarabia will also take to the midfield for further attacking input. To balance the side, Gueye, Pereirra or Marquinhos will occupy the defensive midfield role. They will act as the sole pivot that help in relieving pressure, sitting deep and holding their shape, and an outlet for fast transitions from midfield to attack.

Attack- The attack is the one place PSG need have no worries, having added Messi to their roster. Pocchettino can just sit back, relax with a can of beer, and let the MNM trio do their thing. Neymar will occupy the left interior, Messi either the right interior or as a false nine, and Mbappe as a centre forward or a right wing. Given Messi and Neymar’s tendency to drift inside from the wing to dictate play, the role of providing the team with width will fall to the wingbacks. Messi will do his usual thing, and you can expect to see several passes from him over the top of the opposition’s defence to latch onto Mbappe’s raw speed.  

The main question is whether Pocchettino will be able to effectively balance PSG's attack and defense, to create a harmonious unit and manage all the ego's that will be present in the dressing room. Either way, this is PSG's year to finally win the Champions League, and it is common opinion that if it doesn't happen now, it won't ever. 

PSG's possible Lineups: 





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