Analysis of Fabian Ruiz, Manuel Ugarte, Kang-in Lee, and Marco Asensio for Champions League Success

2024-05-06 22:07:00

Fabian Ruiz

On paper, it is the one that presents the best compromise between offensive and defensive contribution. The Spaniard is not really the strongest player in duels, but he has a tactical culture that allows him to be well positioned and scratch the balls. Precise in his passing and blessed with good ball strikes, he also has interesting technical qualities when projecting forward. His profile complements that of Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery quite well, which may partly explain why he has had the confidence of Luis Enrique in recent weeks.

He has an offensive and defensive contribution, but without real added value in either sector. If he sometimes manages to come into harmony with his teammates, as in Barcelona (1-4), the former Neapolitan too often remains neutral, like his weak performance in Dortmund (1-0). The whole is not sufficient at the level the Champions League requires. And if he is favored by Luis Enrique, it seems especially a default choice for the Spanish coach to complete his midfield trio.

Manuel Ugarte

His thunderous start to the season spoke volumes for his potential in a position PSG lacked, in front of the defence. Quick to tackle the opponent’s feet, the Uruguayan gave Paris a new dimension in recovery. His style seemed to fit perfectly with Luis Enrique’s style of play, despite a fairly clear margin for improvement in his use of the ball. He also adds an athletic dimension to the PSG midfield, which suffered by comparison with Dortmund’s in this area in the first leg.

“This time Mbappé knows his back is against the wall”

He was unable to maintain the same level of performance after the first two months of the competition. As he became less sharp in his defensive interventions, his faults in recovery took precedence over his virtues as a rebounder. This is partly what pushed Luis Enrique to reposition Vitinha in this central defensive midfielder role where the Portuguese has excelled for two months. With him, Paris have much less trouble getting the balls out against opposition pressure, which limits the hypothesis that Ugarte starts against Dortmund.

Kang-in Lee

He was adjusted in different positions by Luis Enrique, especially on the wings, but it was probably in a slightly more backward and inside position that he was most comfortable. Kang-in Lee has the qualities to make an offensive impact, especially in the pass like the ball offered to Kylian Mbappé for the second Parisian goal against Real Sociedad. His dribbling and acceleration also offer interesting prospects for shifts, and the South Korean also showed a concern for withdrawal and a lot of self-sacrifice in his recovery. Having a player with this profile in the middle against Dortmund makes sense given the scenario, with an aim to come back and the need to attack.

Confidence, composition: how Dortmund approach the return leg

It’s hard to know what to expect from Kang-in Lee. The former Mallorca player has been alternating since he arrived in Paris. He alternates between the good and the less good and regularly seems to struggle to find the right positioning in Luis Enrique’s game plan. Starting in the middle during the first leg against Barça (2-3), the South Korean missed his fight before giving up his place after the hour mark. Since then, he hasn’t really made his mark despite an assist during the last championship match against Le Havre (3-3). It is not enough to establish yourself in the starting line-up against Dortmund.

Marco Asensio

He is more of a striker than an attacking midfielder, but Luis Enrique seems to like the Spaniard in an attacking midfielder role that might suit him. Asensio shone especially in this register against Lyon (4-1) through the quality of the movements between the lines and the ability to be decisive. His ball is particularly an asset in this configuration, and the former Real Madrid player is also one of the most experienced Parisians in the Champions League (64 games). He is a credible option with a commitment to scoring against Dortmund.

Asensio showed some virtues in pressing and counter-pressing, a little less in defensive withdrawals. Placing him in the midfield trio risks imbalance in the Parisian collective and for a team split in two. This is usually the risky choice that can pay off big. As such, it seems more likely to see him come off the bench depending on the match scenario rather than being lined up from kick-off.

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