It’s not very often a club that’s won four consecutive league titles, and lifted a domestic treble last year, is counted as under-achievers but it’s far to say that many expected more from Paris Saint-Germain on the European stage. Ahead of 2016/17, it’s been a summer of change for the French giants and there’s plenty of expectations.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is of course gone, having spent fruitful years in the French capital and establishing himself in the club’s history books as the all-time leading goalscorer, but he couldn’t guide Le Parisians to European glory. To achieve that ambition, Unai Emery has been drafted in to replace Laurent Blanc after he led Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League crowns.
A fresh new approach could be exactly what PSG need and Emery will look to find balance in a side full of stars- and this is how he could line-up next season.
After 35 appearances and 19 clean-sheets in his first year with PSG, Kevin Trapp will continue between the sticks for the forthcoming season. Ahead of him, the defence is also recognisable with Brazilian duo Thiago Silva and David Luiz as the centre-back pairing, whilst young Marquinhos will also be pushing for regular football.
With Serge Aurier, who enjoyed a fantastic match and scored a brace against Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup, on the right and Layvin Kurzawa on the opposite side, PSG boast two exceptional young defenders and they will be crucial for the club’s aims this season.
A massive addition to the side comes in defensive midfield, with Polish international Grzegorz Krychowiak following Unai Emery to the club from Sevilla. His experience and pedigree in Europe will be a major asset and his role in the side could bring the best out of the midfield duo playing ahead of him.
With Krychowiak providing a defensive cushion, both Lucas Moura and Marco Verratti can enjoy more freedom in their midfield roles- which could be the making of one of Europe’s finest midfield duos. Whilst Moura has been accustomed to playing out-wide, this position will give him more game-time.
Moura’s lack of opportunities out wide will come down to the pair who get the nod ahead of him, with Angel Di Maria finding his feet last season after a disastrous spell with Manchester United and Hatem Ben Arfa, another new signing in Paris, also redeeming himself last season after a torrid few years.
Ben Arfa managed 17 goals in Ligue 1 last term, a tally only three players could better. Meanwhile, Di Maria scored ten goals and provided 18 assists to his team-mates. Add Edinson Cavani to the mix as the central striker and it’s an extremely threatening line-up, with the trio contributing to a combined total of 75 goals in Ligue 1 last term.
Securing the Ligue 1 title should once again be a walk in the park for PSG, with the likes of Lyon and Monaco not having enough to threaten their crown, but it’s in Europe where Emery will be judged- and the club’s billionaire owners will be looking to improve on their recent record.
Since their return to Europe’s elite competition in 2012, PSG have tumbled in the quarter-finals on all four occasions; losing against Manchester City, Barcelona (twice) and Chelsea- teams that, on paper at least, the French giants should be able to overcome if they play at their best.
The post Paris Saint-Germain 2016/17 Tactics: Emery’s European ambition appeared first on Top Eleven's Football Blog.
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