UEFA Champions League 2019/20: Club Brugge vs Paris Saint-Germain – tactical analysis
On paper, group A of the UEFA Champions League seemed to be a straightforward group with European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain likely to claim first and second place. However, after two matchdays, the performances paint a different picture. Club Brugge claimed a valuable point off Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu which could have easily been three, after losing a two-goal lead. Combined with their goalless draw against Galatasary on matchday one, they came into this fixture with two points when they could have so easily been on six.
Paris Saint-Germain were the only team in the group to secure two wins out of two and looked on course to claim another three points from the minnows in Belgium. However, their visit to Brugge wasn’t as easy as they thought. The Belgian side fought hard and outplayed the Parisians at times during the game.
This tactical analysis will analyse the tactics used by both coaches that saw them play out an interesting and feisty encounter in this UEFA Champions League group stage match.
Squads & lineups
The home side lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation looking to apply pressure on Paris Saint-Germain whilst remaining defensively solid to contain the fearsome front three. The two wing-backs would support the two main strikers in Emmanuel Bonaventure and Percy Tau. The two central midfielders would look to press and take on PSG’s midfield trio with their energy, pace, and dynamism and release the speedy front two.
PSG, on the other hand, lined up in Thomas Tuchel’s standard 4-3-3 looking to control the midfield and allow the front three to cause havoc in attack. Mauro Icardi continued to lead the line and was flanked by Ángel Di María and Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting. They were, however, missing a few key players due to injury. Neymar’s European suspension was up but struggled with a hamstring injury. Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani were fit enough to make the bench after returning from lengthy layoffs. Summer signing Idrissa Gueye was out of the squad altogether also due to injury.
Paris Saint-Germain out of possession
Brugge found spaces in the final third behind the full-backs and were a constant threat to PSG’s defensive line. There were often times in the first half which saw PSG being forced back into their own half trying to stop the attacking movements of Brugge. Tuchel enforced two major tactical points to counteract this: heavy pressing starting from the front three and getting numbers back in the defensive third.
The second half saw the heavy press continue and Icardi’s second goal was due to Di María’s high pressing which allowed PSG to win possession high up the pitch and score.
Club Brugge attacking the wide spaces
Right from the get-go, we could see Club Brugge look to attack PSG rather than sit back and create compact lines of defence and midfield. They played a quick and direct style of football from back-to-front to try and shift the ball quickly through midfield. That’s not to say they didn’t want to keep it tight at the back, but their front-foot strategy had worked against Real Madrid. The Belgian team set up in a 3-5-2 formation with a deep-lying defensive midfielder in Mats Rits tasked with protecting the back three and recycling possession to the front men.
Brugge primarily wanted to attack through the two wing-backs and overload the wide areas, especially the right-hand side. Tuchel prefers both his full-backs to push on and press the opposition wingers and full-backs to lure them in and switch play, but that inevitably leaves space in behind. They aimed to target the defensive deficiencies of Bernat by pushing multiple men against him to keep him back – often committing the wing-back, near sided central midfielder, and striker to create combinations to penetrate the Parisian back line between the centre-back and full-back making diagonal runs through.
While the team was an attacking threat they had a mere six shots with none on target, making it very difficult for them to cause any real damage to PSG. The away team did well to nullify their threat with Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe resolute in their defensive duties.
Thomas Tuchel’s adjustments unlock Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking line up may have secured them a dominant 5-0 victory but they initially seemed to struggle. The decision to start Chupo-Moting was forced under the circumstances. If the likes of Neymar, Mbappé, and Cavani were not injured, it was unlikely that the experienced forward was going to be given another start. PSG’s two best opportunities came through two long balls from defence, one of which played Di María in for Icardi’s goal. This was a testament to Brugge’s tactical planning and hard work. The Belgians’ 3-5-2 initially limited the front three from really gaining a foothold on proceedings but as the game wore on their influence grew. Icardi and Di María showed their gulf in quality with a well taken first goal.
Mbappé may have stolen the headlines because of his exquisite goals but Di María proved his undeniable quality and importance to PSG once again. The Argentine winger had three assists and pulled the strings especially in the second half. The analysis has shown the critical element Di Maria was to PSG. He picked up possession in key positions as well as intercept many (six) of Brugge’s passes.
Conclusion
After enduring a slightly discomforting opening 45 minutes, Paris Saint-Germain ended up comfortable winners. They continued their fine form heading into the next matchday after already thrashing Real Madrid, and they remain on course to finishing top of the group. Tuchel will be pleased to see Icardi settling in well and Mbappe picking up where he left off. Club Brugge can take solace in their performance having taken a point from Real Madrid away and showed glimpses of potential against PSG.
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