Luis Enrique Tactics At PSG Without Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint Germain’s Attacking Evolution With João Neves & Bradley Barcola

It’s been almost three months since Kylian Mbappé officially departed PSG for Real Madrid in one of the most highly anticipated transfers in recent times.

Naturally, a lot of eyes will have been on how head coach Luis Enrique is adapting Les Parisiens’ attack in a post-Mbappé world, especially considering how impactful the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was for PSG on the left and centre of attack.

Six games into their first Ligue 1 campaign following the 25-year-old forward’s departure, PSG are undefeated with five wins and one draw in their opening games.

They have scored 20 goals—an average of 3.33 goals per game thus far.

This tactical analysis and team-focused scout report will examine Luis Enrique’s attacking tactics so far this term, focusing on what the ex-Barcelona coach is doing with PSG on the left.

Our analysis will focus on key personnel in relation to PSG’s ruthless start to the season in front of goal, along with some vital elements of the Ligue 1 giants’ overall attacking setup.

Kylian Mbappé & Bradley Barcola Data Analysis

Last season saw Kylian Mbappé play more centrally than perhaps he ever had before for PSG, making way for 2023 summer signing Bradley Barcola to make his way into the team without a massive spotlight on his performances on the left.

Kylian Mbappé Radar Map

Looking at Mbappé’s performance last season, he effectively performed at an extremely elite level in all attacking and possession metrics on our pizza chart when compared with centre-forwards from Europe’s top-five leagues, emphasising his highly influential role in PSG’s attack.

Most of Les Parisiens’ attacks went through Mbappé in some form, whether that was with the Frenchman dropping from a centre-forward position and receiving to feet in something of a ‘false 9’ role, drifting out to the wings and receiving with a view to taking on a defender 1v1 or looking for a ball in behind from central or out wide against a high line — all notable moves in this world-class attacker’s game.