PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique may be unsure of how to approach Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League playoffs against Monaco.
PSG are leading 3-2, but defending a lead is not his style. However, attacking too much against a technically strong Monaco team could leave them open to a costly counterattack.
Monaco, coached by Sebastian Pocognoli, have scored 13 goals in their last six games. They have lost two of those games, but their offense appears to be getting sharper.
Monaco led 2-0 against PSG last week within 20 minutes, but clumsy defending allowed PSG to come back. Monaco overturned a 2-0 deficit against Reims on Saturday by scoring three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
PSG’s defense looks weaker than last season (they conceded a goal after just 55 seconds against Monaco) and is not affected by the uncertainty around their goalkeeper.
Since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure, Luis Enrique has alternated summer signings with Matvey Safonov. Lucas Chevalier.
smooth combination
Ansu Fati and Folarin Balogun could be Pocognoli’s best option in attack.
Fati has scored nine goals in 20 games, including a great lob in opposition territory. lens Saturday.
former Barcelona’s teenage prodigy He has been plagued by minor injuries this season. Although he came on as a substitute against Reims, Pocognoli is likely to start him against PSG.
Balogun has also been plagued by injuries, but it appears he has finally made a full recovery. american forward two goals In last week’s game against PSG, he showed his return to form with a well-placed strike against Lens.
Movement in the front line linked with the running of the attacking midfielder Magnes AcrioshPSG’s defense could be stretched, leaving space for midfielders.
Fatih and Akryosh While Balogun can dribble with speed, Balogun is also versatile and can play wide or in the middle.
Risk of counterattack
Monaco’s strength is quick counter-attacks.
The goal came from a quick breakthrough when Monaco beat PSG 1-0 in Ligue 1 in November. Saturday’s third goal against Lens was a clever counter-attack that ended with a lob from Fati.
PSG showed vulnerability to fast balls played behind the full-backs. lost 3-1 to Rennes This month; Meanwhile, Monaco’s first goal last Tuesday came when left-back Caio Henrique found space behind right-back Achraf Hakimi and Balogun headed in from Aleksandr Golovin’s cross.
Enrique and right-back Vandersson both like to attack. This could lead to manager Luis Enrique telling his attacking full-back Hakimi and left-back Nuno Gomez not to get too high.
Dembele injured
PSG will be without star forward Ousmane Dembele
Ballon d’Or winner It came off He suffered a calf injury last Tuesday and missed Saturday’s home game against Metz in Ligue 1.
Dembele is hampered by injury He has rarely played a full season in his career, and setbacks affected his six seasons at Barcelona before joining PSG.
Fabian Ruiz continues to be absent. The Spanish midfielder has not played for PSG since injuring his left knee in the 2-1 defeat against Sporting Lisbon on January 20.
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