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Kylian Mbappé took centre stage once again as his hat-trick fired PSG to a convincing victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
A thread on how Mauricio Pochettino outclassed Ronald Koeman.
#PSG #BarcaPsg #UCL
A thread on how Mauricio Pochettino outclassed Ronald Koeman.
#PSG #BarcaPsg #UCL
Without Neymar & Di Maria, Pochettino was left bereft of his usual attacking quality. Although, the PSG manager is innovative & found the best tactical solution based on what he had available.
- Florenzi & Kurzawa provide the width
- Mbappé operates centrally with Icardi.
- Florenzi & Kurzawa provide the width
- Mbappé operates centrally with Icardi.
Barcelona’s narrow defensive shape allowed PSG’s full-backs to pick their pass.
Marco Verratti’s versatility allowed the Italian to bomb forward and support the attack, which is key to their first goal.
- Kurzawa plays a first-time pass
- Mbappé attacks Pique’s blind spot
Marco Verratti’s versatility allowed the Italian to bomb forward and support the attack, which is key to their first goal.
- Kurzawa plays a first-time pass
- Mbappé attacks Pique’s blind spot
Leandro Paredes’ brilliant passing range was key to PSG’s victory. The Argentine’s pivot in front of the back four allowed him to dictate the ball with his impressive vision. As shown for the second goal:
Paredes’ game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
93% pass accuracy
10 ball recoveries [most]
5/6 accurate long balls
6 duels won
5 crosses [most]
3 clearances
2 tackles
1 interception
1 assist
A fantastic individual performance.
![Paredes’ game by numbers vs. Barcelona: 93% pass accuracy 10 ball recoveries [most]5/6 accurate long balls 6 duels won5 crosses [most]3 clearances 2 tackles 1 interception 1 assist A fantastic individual performance.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EublM-1WgAE2qPW.jpg "Paredes’ game by numbers vs. Barcelona: 93% pass accuracy 10 ball recoveries [most]5/6 accurate long balls 6 duels won5 crosses [most]3 clearances 2 tackles 1 interception 1 assist A fantastic individual performance.")
93% pass accuracy
10 ball recoveries [most]
5/6 accurate long balls
6 duels won
5 crosses [most]
3 clearances
2 tackles
1 interception
1 assist
A fantastic individual performance.
The confidence that Pochettino has instilled in Paredes in such a short space of time is the first major hallmark of his reign at PSG. The midfielder’s positional intelligence and ability to progress the ball rapidly was key in the away side’s transition from defence to attack.
Mbappé 
Kean Icardi
The interchangeability of the front three caused Barcelona problems all evening. As shown in this attack:
- Icardi looks to get in-behind Lenglet
- Kean drops and pulls Pique away
- Mbappé is allowed to attack the central area against Dest.
Kean Icardi The interchangeability of the front three caused Barcelona problems all evening. As shown in this attack:
- Icardi looks to get in-behind Lenglet
- Kean drops and pulls Pique away
- Mbappé is allowed to attack the central area against Dest.
Even in the latter stages of the game, PSG show desire to get forward and outnumber their opponents. Barcelona’s high press opens up space to exploit in-behind. Ruthless.
Pochettino’s side were very organised and disciplined off the ball, defending in a narrow shape in attempt to nullify central areas that Lionel Messi thrives in. As shown here:
- Messi drops deep to receive the ball
- Busquets is marked closely by Verratti.
- Messi drops deep to receive the ball
- Busquets is marked closely by Verratti.
Despite only being in the PSG hot seat for 46 days, Pochettino’s side have showed early promise of being serious Champions League contenders this season.
Can the Argentine lead the Parisians to their first major European trophy since 1995? Only time will tell.
Can the Argentine lead the Parisians to their first major European trophy since 1995? Only time will tell.
