Blaise Matuidi had a mixed performance in the quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, scoring a crucial goal but also receiving a yellow card that will result in his suspension for the return leg at the Camp Nou on April 10. Matuidi’s absence could pose a significant challenge for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as he is considered essential to the team’s midfield.
Former footballer Olivier Dacourt expressed concern over Matuidi’s suspension, emphasizing his importance to PSG. Dacourt believes that Matuidi is as crucial to the team as star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. Matuidi’s work rate, ball recovery skills, and his goal-scoring contribution make him a vital asset for PSG. Dacourt suggests that in a midfield duo, the natural combination would be Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti. However, if Thiago Motta is unavailable, the choice of midfielder Clément Chantôme becomes essential.
Rudi Garcia, the coach of LOSC (Lille OSC), also acknowledges Matuidi’s significance to PSG, considering him one of their best players of the season. Garcia highlights Matuidi’s qualities in pressing, ball recovery, and his improvement in the forward game. Matuidi’s absence will be felt not only in defensive aspects but also in the attacking phase, where he has shown notable progress.
Overall, both Dacourt and Garcia express concerns about PSG missing Blaise Matuidi in the crucial return leg against Barcelona and highlight the challenges that his suspension may pose to the team’s midfield dynamics and overall performance.
