If the leaders of PSG still had a hint of doubt about the interest of recruiting Milan Skriniar by Tuesday evening, the performance of the Parisian defense against Reims certainly convinced them that things had to change in this sector. Just over a fortnight from facing Bayern Munich, Europe’s second attack (52 goals in 18 Bundesliga games, only Manchester City does better), the PSG rearguard did not always reassure this Sunday. . What’s more against the 17th attack in Ligue 1 (21 goals since the start of the season).
No question here of questioning the talent of the very promising Folarin Balogun and the very hard-hitting Alexis Flips, but the ease with which the central hinge and the laterals were mistreated at times by the Rémois questions in anticipation of the 8th final of the League of February 14 champions. Since the start of the season, this sector has not always shown unfailing reliability, whether it is 5 behind or 4 like this Sunday. Christophe Galtier had also made a slight alteration, but an important alteration, by deciding to reverse the positions of Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos in the axis, the Spaniard thus returning to the left, his preferential side.
Ramos sometimes overwhelmed
Despite this change supposed to install him in better conditions, the former Real Madrid player has sometimes displayed the same flaws and has done his 36 years well (37 in March) against the ardor of Balogun, 21 years old. He has often seen himself taken in depth, as on the late opposing goal where he cannot catch up with the striker trained at Arsenal, and lacked accuracy in his interventions like this full axis throw-in in his area (29th) . At his side, Marquinhos also suffered from the mobility of the Reims attackers in certain phases. Like Ramos, his alignment on Balogun’s goal is questionable.
It remains to be seen now whether the Brazilian captain and his Spanish vice-captain will form the central Parisian hinge against Bayern Munich. PSG are still hoping to sign Milan Skriniar by midnight on Tuesday. The Inter Milan defender has already agreed to join Paris next summer, but the leaders will push hard in the next forty-eight hours to complete his arrival in the form of a transfer. An arrival of the 27-year-old Slovak international would inevitably shake up the hierarchy behind in anticipation of the European shock.