It was a noć which the fans of the Parisian club will remember for a long time, not only because of the convincing victory and the show of goals, but and because of the unusual scenes that marked this match of the Champions League. In the replay of this summer’s European Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham scored at least eight goals, and the main star of the night was the Portuguese midfielder. Vitinha. While the “saints” were breaking the resistance of the guests from London on the field, the cameras were capturing equally interesting shots in the stands of Prince’s Park, where none other than the coach of the home team was stationed.
Although many thought at first that the wordč on suspension, Luis Enrique decided to follow the match, its first part, from an elevated position in order to have a better tactical overview of the game. Headphones on his ears and a focused look showed that the Spaniard leaves nothing to chance, and his instructions from the stands obviously bore fruit, as PSG completely dismantled the Roosters’ defense in the rest of the match.
See Enrique in the stands HERE.
Trenerov pogled s visine
Many are used to seeing coaches walking nervously along the touchline, yelling at the game and gesticulating to the referees, but Luis Enrique decided to change the perspective. The Spaniard settled in the box, surrounded by colleagues and technology, while physically leaving the bench to his assistants.
This move was not the result of a disciplinary measure by UEFA, as some media initially speculated, recalling incidents from the World Club Championship. Enrique simply used the right to lead the game from where, as he claims, football is “better seen”.
– I can see the events better from the stands, it allows me to spot tactical mistakes faster – Enrique explained earlier this season the preference for high positions in the first halves.
Tottenham, who arrived in Paris with the intention of washing away the bitter taste of defeat in the Super Cup, did not come to defend, resulting in an open game with a handful of chances for both sides.
Vitinha’s missile and return to the game
The guests from London opened the match better. Tottenham looked dangerous on the counter, and their bravery paid off midway through the first half. After a nice action on the left side, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray played the Parisian defense, and the ball came to Richarlison. The Brazilian did a great job in the crowd and scored a goal to give the guests the lead, silencing the home fans.
It seemed that Tottenham would go on vacation in the morning, but then Vitinha appeared. It was played in the 45th minute, practically the last attack of the first part. The Portuguese received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, adjusted himself and fired a projectile that went through the net of the defenseless Tottenham goalkeeper. It was a goal at the best moment for PSG, a psychologically important one that got things back on track.
Full reversal below
The second half brought an even more crazy rhythm. Tottenham shocked the hosts again right at the start of the second half and took a 2-1 lead, showing that they are not going to give up without a fight. Thomas Frankwho was under a lot of pressure after the north London derby defeat to Arsenal, looked for a reaction from his players and got it, but only briefly.
The joy of the English lasted only a few minutes. In the 53rd minute, Vitinha enters the scene again. The diminutive midfielder once again found himself in the right place and tied the score at 2-2 with a precise shot. That goal seemed to break the spirits of the guests. From that moment on, there was only one team on the field.
PSG took complete control, and Enrique’s tactical ideas, whether they came from the bench or the stand, began to be perfectly implemented. By the end of the match, the “saints” scored three more goals (Fabian Ruiz in the 59th, Willian Pacho and finally Vitinha from the penalty for a hat-trick in the 76th) and conceded one (Kolo Muani in the 72nd) and took a 5-3 lead. Lucas Hernandez’s red card in the third minute of stoppage time did not spoil the victory and celebration of the home team.
Historical nightć for the captain
In addition to the victory and the great game of Vitinha, the evening at Park prin&ccaroneva was special for another man. Captain Marquinhos he made his 500th appearance in the jersey of the Parisian club. The Brazilian, who has been at the club since 2013, has become an absolute record holder and a club legend.
– If Marquinhos is ready, he will play his 500th game, which is an incredible number – Luis Enrique said in the announcement of the match, and the captain returned his trust with another solid game, conducting and defending in the moments when the game broke down.
– It is nice to see a player who has crossed such an important path. He is a different player, a real leader, and I hope we will have him for a few more years – added the Spanish expert about his captain, who with the club has raised the bar. 35 trophies.
Tottenham is sinking, PSG is flying
For Tottenham, this was another blow in a season that threatens to turn into a disappointment. After losing a 2-0 lead against the same opponent in the Super Cup, history somehow repeated itself. Although they led twice, the “roosters” defense could not withstand the pressure of PSG’s powerful attack.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain continues to play well in the Champions League. With three new points, they consolidated their position at the top of the table and showed that, despite occasional oscillations and injuries of key games such as Ousmanea Dembeleone of the main contenders for the title.
Luis Enrique can be satisfied. His experiment with guiding the game from the stands proved to be successful, and Vitinha proved that he can be the man of decision when it is most needed. The Goliath at Park prinčeva confirmed that PSG is playing football this season that is worth watching, regardless of which position in the stadium they are playing it from.