PSG – Strasbourg: Bradley Barcola’s new coup

Scorer of a goal with the Blues against Israel during this last international break, Bradley Barcola returned to Paris Saint-Germain with important objectives given the busy schedule that awaits the capital club in the coming weeks, starting with this weekend where Luis Enrique’s troops welcomed RC Strasbourg to the Parc des Princes as part of the 8th day of Ligue 1. A golden encounter for a life-size test, as PSG prepares to challenge PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Tuesday evening. The Spanish coach also took the opportunity to make a small turnover in his starting lineup, leaving some internationals to rest. But not Bradley Barcola who had to take on the role of boss of the Parisian attack with the absences of Randal Kolo Muani, Gonçalo Ramos but especially Ousmane Dembélé.

Just a few days ago, the darling of the Parc des Princes said more about his relationship with his trainer Luis Enrique: “I have a very good relationship with him. A relationship of trust, which he always gave me, even in delicate moments, he was by my side, pushing me. He told me to score. It’s good to pass, to dribble, but when you’re an attacker, the most important thing is to score anyway, so I became aware of that“, declared the young player. A confidence that translates onto the pitch since this Saturday evening, the 22-year-old left winger had all the spotlights on him. Some observers still doubt his ability to raise his level to be more than just a perfect complement player. Recently voted best player of the month for September, Barcola silenced critics.

The leader is called Barcola

Author of a goal and an assist this evening, the former Lyonnais was in the oven and the mill this Saturday, touching nearly 50 balls. He also had four shots on target and had three big chances: “I worked a lot in front of goal. I’m an attacker, you have to score, that’s my role. We are good. I want to win matches, that’s all. We are happy today. We had a good match, we did what we wanted to do. We conceded two goals which distorted the match a little. We put four, we could have put more. The coach gives the Titis confidence. I’ve been there too. This is what the coach does in training, encouraging them to repeat the efforts. By pushing them, we push ourselves», told us Bradley Barcola in the mixed zone. The words of a leader who is further establishing his domination over Ligue 1.

Even without Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola proves that he can be this great player who carries a team. Still twirling on his side, he had very little waste tonight. He even caused a penalty which was ultimately not awarded after an appeal to VAR. Among French players, only Karim Benzema (8 in 2007/08) and André-Pierre Gignac (8 in 2014/15) have scored more goals than Bradley Barcola (7) after the first 8 matches of a Ligue 1 season in the 21st century. In addition to these purely individual figures, the former Lyonnais shows that he is essential for the collective. Indeed, PSG won 16 of its 18 official matches when Bradley Barcola was decisive (for two draws and zero defeats). Bradley Barcola, with 7 goals scored, 1 assist, is the most decisive player in Ligue 1 this season alongside Ousmane Dembélé (4 goals, 3 goals). A rise in power that leaves no one indifferent in Paris.