Lille – PSG: Marco Asensio is the new master of the Parisian attack

The transfer window closed its doors on Friday evening and the national teams are preparing to meet for the first time since Euro 2024. But before this international break, the 3rd day of Ligue 1 was in full swing this weekend with a very good match this Sunday. LOSC hosted Paris Saint-Germain on the pitch of the Pierre Mauroy stadium. At kick-off, both teams were still undefeated with two wins on the first two days of the championship. All the ingredients were therefore there for a magnificent duel between these two clubs in the Champions League this season, with a schedule that is far from simple in the European Cup. During a game dominated by the Parisians, Luis Enrique’s players controlled the Dogues (1-3) thanks specifically to a great offensive efficiency built around Marco Asensio, the new conductor of the system signed by Luis Enrique.

“Normally, we play based on spaces and moments. Usually, the number 9 is not a player who touches the ball a lot. In this type of configuration, the nine is more there to finalize the actions and generate chances. But when you play with a nine who gives more continuity to your game, like Asensio for example, other things happen“, Luis Enrique had explained at length before the match against Montpellier. And between compatriots, it is easier to understand each other. Once again a starter in the starting eleven against Lille, Asensio was again preferred to Randal Kolo Muani at the tip of the attack to compensate for the absence of Gonçalo Ramos. In a false-nine role, the former Real Madrid player proves why Luis Campos and Nasser al-Khelaïfi, in agreement with their coach, did not rush to recruit a new striker in the last days of the summer transfer window.

A role that suits him like a glove!

Marco Asensio, who scored against Montpellier last weekend in Paris’ 6-0 win at the Parc des Princes, was indispensable away against LOSC. In his role as a false nine, so valuable in Luis Enrique’s system, the native of Calvià near Mallorca brought all the necessary ingredients to PSG’s attacking game. He knew how to drop back perfectly to bring technical accuracy. Always clean in the final moves, the Spaniard served Bradley Barcola on a silver platter for his team’s second goal, thus providing his first assist of the season (36th). His participation in creation is necessary and this was felt on several occasions. He disrupts defenses to relieve and free up Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé on the wings. Of course, Marco Asensio does not have the same qualities as a Gonçalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani or a Victor Osimhen (to bounce back on the summer rumor) but his profile is what allows PSG to dominate its opponent and not the least since LOSC played at home with a full confidence of 6 points in two games and a qualification in the Champions League, which Luis Enrique underlined in a press conference.

“It was an away game with the difficulty that entails, with an opponent who qualified for the Champions League and who has played more games than us. The physical difference was very clear, especially in the second half, but we scored three goals and I am very happy with the team’s response. Obviously, there are things to improve but it was a good test. The start of the season is magnificent.”. With 35 balls touched, Marco Asensio finished the match with very few false notes, notably displaying 90% of successful passes. Only three offerings ended in failure. A nice ratio for the one who becomes the real control tower of the Parisian attack. No spark, nor spectacular action but an efficiency and intelligence of play that enhances each opportunity of the PSG. The Spaniard only lost three balls and caused two fouls. He knows how to keep the ball, get off the point of the attack and find the teammates unmarked in the spaces. He even almost offered himself a goal but Lucas Chevalier was on the lookout to repel the danger (53rd). Yes, the Parisian success bears (also) the signature of Marco Asensio.