PSG’s options to stop Lamine Yamal in the absence of Nuno Mendes

· FrenchFootballWeekly

What PSG feared was finally confirmed in the afternoon. Exited due to injury on Saturday evening against Strasbourg (1-3), Nuno The post PSG’s options to stop Lamine Yamal in the absence of Nuno Mendes appeared first on French Football Weekly .

What PSG feared was finally confirmed in the afternoon. Exited due to injury on Saturday evening against Strasbourg (1-3), Nuno Mendes will not take part in Tuesday’s clash against FC Barcelona in the Champions League. A serious blow considering the sparkling form of Lamine Yamal who almost looks like an insoluble problem when he displays this level. In the past, the Portuguese had already managed to limit his influence over 90 minutes (Lamine Yamal had even named Mendes as the most formidable opponent he had to face), and Luis Enrique will therefore have to show ingenuity to neutralize the Barcelonan.

In this configuration, logic argues for a tenure for Lucas Digne, but have the Frenchman’s recent performances really dispelled his coach’s doubts? Coming to give Nuno Mendes a break, the former Aston Villa player is slow to reach the expected level. Since being sidelined against Monaco – Luis Enrique’s first warning this season – Digne has hardly shone, and no more yesterday against Strasbourg. Far be it from us to give lessons to the best coach on the planet, but it will not have escaped Luis Enrique that a duel between Digne and Lamine Yamal would take on a psychological dimension. The last clash between the two men had turned to the advantage of the Barcelonan in the semi-final of the World Cup, a parameter which can have an influence in the approach of a meeting at a full-back, even unconsciously. The use of two-person holds on Lamine Yamal could be an option.

Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez… or Warren Zaire-Emery?

Luis Enrique could also play other cards, such as starting Lucas Hernandez, a more defensive profile, more intense and more vigorous in contact, and endowed with this dose of vice sometimes necessary to limit the influence of the best dribblers. But the 2018 world champion lacks continuity in his performances, despite playing 90 minutes against Strasbourg on Saturday, in a central defender role.

The art of the counterattack is a specialty of Luis Enrique, and it cannot be ruled out that he will try a daring bet. That of reinstating João Neves in the eleven to shift Warren Zaire-Emery to the left-back position is not improbable. The French international has already made a strong impression in this position (mainly on the right to compensate for the absence of Achraf Hakimi). Despite the enthusiasm it arouses, this meeting will not have major consequences, which could lead the Spanish coach to allow himself a gamble.

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