PSG: Ramos, Ugarte, Kolo Muani… These liners that Luis Enrique keeps under pressure

“There is no 11 type,” insists Luis Enrique. Obviously, this is not entirely true, knowing that a typical 11 seems to be emerging for the decisive matches in the Champions League and the Coupe de France, with the trio Mbappé/Dembélé/Barcola in front, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes on the defending sides, Marquinhos and Lucas Hernandez as central hinge, the excellent Vitinha as sentinel and the Ruiz/Zaire-Emery tandem as relays.

With “Lucho”, however, we should not predict anything. “WZE” for example started on the bench against Barça (2-3), with Kang-in Lee in his place, while Marco Asensio took advantage of Bradley Barcola's glitches to start in false 9. One thing is certain: it is not because PSG is potentially 90 minutes away from the French champion title that Luis Enrique will not rely on his bench this Saturday (9 p.m.), during the 31st day of L1. “Each match represents an opportunity for the players. I was recently reminded that I change five or six players every game. It's best for the players when the coach regularly changes his 11. And I'm not going to change my mind. Why change?”, he explained before this “complicated match” against HAC, 16th in the standings.

Ensuring he relies as much on the performances of each other as on the training, Luis Enrique has in any case achieved the feat of putting most of his players in the best possible condition. In the event of a loss or injury, or poor form too, he has a choice. A choice which is not guided by the amount of the transfer of the players concerned, that is clear. Thus, the three most expensive recruits of last summer are among the understudies. Starting with Gonçalo Ramos, who is gaining momentum. Reverse trajectory for Manuel Ugarte, starter at the start... and whose technical limits were quickly noticed by Luis Enrique. 80 M€ for the first, 60 for the second.

PSG also broke the bank for Randal Kolo Muani, €95 million transfer last summer. The French international was a priori expected to battle for the center forward position with Ramos. Finally, “Lucho” took another direction with Barcola, recruited in Lyon for €50 million including bonus, to accompany the essential Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.

Unlike his Portuguese rival, Kolo Muani never took off. His statistics are not dishonorable (9 goals, 6 assists). Far from the standards of his season in Frankfurt (23 goals, 17 assists). Like his performance at Lorient (1-4) last Wednesday, the ex-Nantes player is in a crisis of confidence. Luis Enrique felt it. We saw him interact with his player at the end of the match. “It’s important to be there for your players when they need it. Kolo Muani is a top player, a great recruit for the club. But he is at a moment where he is not completely confident, he is not successful either, but he works a lot. I encouraged him to continue this momentum. (…) I am very happy with Randal Kolo Muani, his performances, his statistics, he can do better and I am sure that when he regains this confidence, his performances will be even better. There is no doubt that “RKM” will have the opportunity to stretch its legs this Saturday, at the Parc des Princes.

In goal, Gigio Donnarumma is the essential number 1. Behind, in addition to the long-term absentee Presnel Kimpembe, Luis Enrique is spoiled for choice. Milan Skriniar was injured at the wrong time. Holder during the first part of the season, he will have to fight to regain this status. Danilo Pereira can still provide services, while Lucas Beraldo, overwhelmed against Barça (2-3), “has been exceptional” since his arrival last winter. “When I see his ability to adapt, his performances, it’s spectacular. He is a very good recruit from the sports management and Luis Campos. He represents the future of PSG,” assures Luis Enrique, indicating that the 20-year-old Brazilian did not play in Lorient due to injury.

In the middle, as we have said, Ugarte has little chance of (re)finding favor in the eyes of his coach for a real regular starting role. Profile question. Casually, Kang-in Lee has already played around thirty matches (4 goals, 3 assists). A goose that lays golden eggs for the club and a player as reliable as he is versatile for the staff. If he missed the first leg against Barça, Marco Asensio showed against Lyon (4-1) that he can help here and there.

Ultimately, there are only two players who are lagging behind in the mind of the Spanish coach, the attacking midfielder Carlos Soler, used as a patch in all positions, and Nordi Mukiele, who is not even not the second option at right-back. On the left, Layvin Kurzawa is not invited. Note that some titis are pushing, like Senny Mayulu (17 years old) in the middle and Yoram Zague (17 years old), on the right, or even Ethan Mbappé (17 years old), the brother of.

In the meantime, it would be a great symbol for Paris Saint-Germain to be crowned this Saturday with a mixed team. In the championship, almost everyone has had their moment. “We are approaching the last part of the season in very positive conditions. I hadn't even thought of a scenario as positive as that," jubilant Luis Enrique, believing that his team is in "a splendid moment" and rejoicing to see that "all the players have a chance to play. The fans are very happy and the club has the ambition to achieve something different. It’s a very attractive end to the season, we are very motivated, we will continue to fight to achieve all the objectives.” The next one is the league title, the club's 12th. “If we win, we will be champion,” he sums up. Having the opportunity to do it in front of our supporters would be perfect, and we want to take advantage of this opportunity. Chick?