PSG – Brest: the explosive return of Swiss army knife Marco Asensio!

After a solid victory in the Coupe de France against US Orléans last weekend, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 this Sunday evening, welcoming Stade Brestois to their Parc des Princes lawn as part of the 19th day of Ligue 1. A test far from uninteresting for Luis Enrique’s troops less than two weeks before the reception of Real Sociedad in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. For this duel against the Bretons, the Spanish coach decided to bring Marco Asensio back into the starting lineup after two full copies in the Coupe de France against Revel (1 goal, 2 assists) and Orléans. Since his return from injury, the former Real Madrid player had not regained starting status in the league. This is something done to the great happiness of Parisians.

“I can play all positions of the attack. In front, to the right, to the left or behind. He likes dynamic players who can move, without having a fixed position. But it’s true that my best position is in the game, behind the striker, as an attacking midfielder or a deep striker. But I will do what the coach asks me”, Marco Asensio announced last summer when his arrival in Paris was made official. He had promised it and this observation has become more true than ever over the last few weeks. Although his foot injury kept him away from the field for two and a half months, the 28-year-old Spaniard has been gaining momentum over the past few matches. Asensio’s start to 2024 is simply dazzling and offers Luis Enrique a new string to his bow, a new offensive option in his evolving tactical system. Additional proof this Sunday against Stade Brestois (2-2).

Capital versatility for Luis Enrique!

Against Eric Roy’s Ty’Zefs, the native of Palma de Mallorca produced a solid performance. Author of a nice opening score on Bradley Barcola’s decisive pass (38th), he was also directly involved in the second Parisian goal, scored by Randal Kolo Muani who was able to perfectly recover the shot signed by Asensio which was poorly repelled by Marco Bizot ( 45th). Beyond his very good game, Asensio especially shone by being aligned in a new positioning. Indeed, while he has already been used at the forefront of the attack in a false nine role and even winger on the right and left flanks of his team, the former protégé of Zinédine Zidane at Real Madrid has, against the Stade Brestois, inherited the central midfielder position alongside Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz: “we had a good first period, but we could have had more verticality but Brest played their game, we have to concentrate on ourselves. We have to analyze this match from the cold, we must not go out of our way and keep this good dynamic and get off to a good start. I feel very good, I am very satisfied with the opportunity that the coach gave me and I am very happy that he has lined up for me”declared the main interested party on Prime Video.

This versatile and flexible number 8 role seems to suit Marco Asensio, who has managed to prove himself valuable in the Parisian collective. A large volume of play on all areas of the field: left side, right side, axis. The Spaniard has simply been everywhere. He also finished the match with around fifty balls touched for only five balls lost and two missed passes. A total of 94% of successful passes which demonstrates great productivity. His oiled connection with Bradley Barcola was the main engine of Paris Saint-Germain’s attack this Sunday evening against Brest. This is what allows Luis Enrique to have a new versatile asset, at a time when the repositioning of Kylian Mbappé in nine condemns Gonçalo Ramos and the arrival of Gabriel Moscardo in the axis should only take place in June next… Competition is raging in Paris but versatility and depth reign.