- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Time for Unai Emery and PSG to Dump the 4-3-3 After Marseille Disappointment
- Updated: October 24, 2016
On Sunday night, Paris Saint-Germain were held to a goalless draw by Olympique de Marseille in the first Le Classique of the season.
It wasn’t a great game, and the word “classic” won’t be mentioned in the same breath as the match that was endured at the Parc de Princes.
Part of that was the tactics used by new Marseille boss Rudi Garcia, but some of the blame has to go to PSG manager Unai Emery and the way he set up his side on Sunday.
There was something of a surprise when he named Adrien Rabiot in the starting lineup, despite it being well deserved. He has been easily one of PSG’s best midfielders this season and gives the play through the middle a little unpredictability—in a positive sense.
@PSG_Dallasblog @PSGTalk Emery “lost” em when he went back to Blanc’s 4-3-3 instead of his own system because the players asked him to
— George Atsaves (@GAtsaves) October 24, 2016
Sadly, Emery undid that good work by naming Thiago Motta beside him—as many fans commented during the game. When a team like Marseille turn up in Paris, playing a 5-3-2 formation like they did, it’s clear you are going to see the home team controlling possession, and it is going to either take a mistake or a great pass to pick apart a stubborn back line.
“I think the team played very well and controlled the match. We created a number of chances, but unfortunately we failed to put one away,” Emery told press after the game. “Even if the result wasn’t the one we were hoping for, the players played well. We often have to play against sides defending very deep and in numbers. Despite that, we managed to create a number of chances, even if we didn’t manage to score. We still have to fine-tune a few things, but we are on the right track.”
PSG, according to WhoScored, had 17 shots on Sunday night. Eight of them were blocked and just three made it on target. The greatest chance fell to Edinson Cavani, but the Uruguayan striker pushed it wide. He should have scored, and that was easily the best chance they managed to put together.
on compense avec edi pic.twitter.com/TMZkf6k5dB
— philippe (@philousports) October 23, 2016
There has to come a time, soon, when Emery gives up on this turgid 4-3-3, especially when playing at the Parc des Princes.
Injury to Javier Pastore has taken away his most natural No. 10 playmaker, but with a bit of inventiveness and outside-the-box thinking, you could make this PSG team more unpredictable, more dynamic and hopefully a much better watch than they currently are.
Emery was far too quick to ditch his 4-2-3-1 formation. It doesn’t have to be as rigid as …
