Istanbul (AFP)
After the victory of prestige, the confirmation in hostile territory: the PSG, by signing Tuesday a second success in a row in the Champions League on the field of Galatasaray (1-0), demonstrated that the inaugural lesson inflicted on Real Madrid ( 3-0) was not a coincidence.
"We made a match with a lot of personality, a really tough match"; "in the locker room everyone realizes that we worked well": after the final whistle, the Parisians immediately measured the importance of such a result for the rest of their European adventure.
Beyond the good accounting operation, a position of leader of Group A with five steps ahead of his rival Madrid, Thiago Silva's teammates have mostly managed to identify some unsuspected qualities in a climate as hostile as it is hot: a collective consistent, compact, exemplary mental strength.
. Sovereign trio in the middle
Where did such a metamorphosis come from this squad that could squander a two-goal lead on its pitch 7 months ago in the round of 16 against Manchester United?
Largely thanks to a new trio in midfield. It was expected the "MCN", the most expensive attack in the world composed of Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani and Neymar, and it is the "MGV" which has assumed the role of PSG locomotive.
From the repositioning of Marquinhos as a sentinel, to the recruitment of Idrissa Gueye, Marco Verratti's team-mates have regained the skills they lacked since the departure of Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta, and to a certain extent Adrien Rabiot.
Sovereign against Real, then against Galatasaray, the trio still allowed the hinge Thiago Silva-Kimpembe not to concede goal. While allowing wingmen Angel Di Maria and Pablo Sarabia to focus on the offensive tasks, like Mauro Icardi's winning goal.
"Playing with level players, with such qualities, it's easier for anyone," said the Argentinian in the mixed zone.
. Icardi, new fatal weapon?
If he only had to push the ball in goals (1-0, 52nd) following the Sarabia caviar, it is clear that Icardi scored points for the rest with his first goal under his new colors.
"I'm not 100% yet but with one goal, the pains pass, I will try to recover and play the next match in the best possible way," he said. who speak Spanish has made it easy for me to adapt. "
In the absence of Edinson Cavani, injured, the former interist was even preferred to Kylian Mbappé, left on the bench, despite his return from injury, at kickoff. Winning bet for Thomas Tuchel, who can now count on an extra weapon in his incredible offensive arsenal.
"It was not the hardest goal to score but it was an excellent game, it worked a lot, it can improve and gain confidence and physical ability," greeted his coach.
. The stars will arrive
And to say that Paris played its first two games in C1 without Neymar, the man in the form of the beginning of the season, nor Edinson Cavani, still injured! Even Kylian Mbappé, the best scorer of last season, is not yet 100% ... This is to say the potential untapped potential of the Paris team.
Looking forward to being full? "Of course, it's really important to get everyone back," says Marco Verratti, "we need them, but I'm happy because the coach can count on everyone, and we know that with Neymar, we will be stronger ... "
Author of three decisive goals in Ligue 1, respectively against Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux, the Brazilian superstar has posted a level hinting at great promises. In three weeks in Bruges, his suspension curly, Neymar will be there.
"We started well, but there are still four games left, and there is always something going on in a Champions League match because all teams are well organized and strong," Marco Verratti warns. We saw for example Bruges who managed to make a draw (2-2) in Madrid ... We are on the right track, but we have not done anything yet.
© 2019 AFP