Serving as a resumption of official matches in France, the Coupe de France final was won by Paris Saint-Germain. Tactical analysis of a rather disappointing meeting on the Parisian side, but which could, on the other hand, prove to be foundational for Claude Puel’s Saint-Etienne.
Like the end result, the initial training did not create any amazement. At the kickoff, PSG come in with a 4-4-2 that has become classic for several months of competition. The only notable fact is the tenure of Leandro Paredes, preferred to Marco Verratti.
For the Greens, Claude Puel opts for a 4-2-3-1, notably driven by the presence of Yvann Maçon on the right lane and that of Romain Hamouma at the forefront of the attack.
Paris lacking creativity and intensity …
In the first moments of the meeting, the Parisians displayed a desire to take their opponent by the throat by imposing a high pressing.
This intensity wanes quickly, however, leaving a glimpse of a lack of dynamism in PSG. A finding displayed not only during the reconquest of the ball, but also in possession of it. Thomas Tuchel’s men lack dynamism in their movements, especially between the lines, to offer a solution to the wearer.
In an attempt to maintain the relationship between the midfield and the Neymar-Mbappé-Icardi-Di Maria quartet, it is the latter (blue circle) who repeatedly plays a relay role. The Argentine delivered three key assists *, his team’s highest total.
In turn, Neymar also drops from his position to initiate the offensives and bring rhythm to a Parisian game that is sorely lacking. Evidenced by its heat map, revealing a very axial and relatively low average positioning.
However, the intensity of the animation around him (yellow circle) is insufficient to create lags and dynamise the Parisian possession with short play.
Indeed, the attackers of the capital very often seek long play, just like this action. Here, Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia (blue circle) make the same call in depth.
… Facing a solid and compact ASSE
Difficulties in evolving through short transmissions also shown at the start of the game. Saint-Etienne did not hesitate to go after PSG high and put them in difficulty in the first raise.
If the players of the capital still manage to progress on the field, the densification of the axis by the Greens as well as their positioning and their orientation of the body oblige Paris Saint-Germain to try to find the solution by the wings.
However, the Stéphanois block is pierced by a sudden acceleration from Kylian Mbappé (red circle). A backlash following a quick free kick that highlights a lack of organization within the Forez defense. Loïc Perrin (black circle) decides to step forward to frame, not without a certain lack of liveliness, Angel Di Maria (blue circle). But the captain then found himself alongside his team-mate Timothée Kolodziejczak, leaving plenty of space behind his back perfectly exploited by the French striker after a first-intention handover from his partner.
In possession of the ball and despite securing scoring chances, notably through Denis Bouanga, Saint-Etienne lacks explosiveness during offensive transitions. On an acceleration after recovering the ball, Timothée Kolodziejczak receives very little support here. Several of his partners have chosen not to support him and do not take advantage of a possible Parisian disorganization.
Without drastically changing the face of the game, the expulsion of Loïc Perrin at the half hour mark changes the disposition of his teammates. Evolving in 4-2-3 in the offensive phase, the Stéphanois still manage to bring danger to the edge of the penalty area of Keylor Navas.
Evidence of a real possibility of an equalizer, the replacement of Mathieu Debuchy by Jean-Philippe Krasso moved the Greens to 3-4-2 during the last ten minutes to try to secure extra time.
But it was more without the ball that the Greens delivered a real lesson in self-sacrifice and tactical discipline. In 4-4-1, they made PSG almost harmless, leaving almost no room for their opponents to exploit.
Attractive Neyou, Imperial Fofana
Several remarkable individual performances sprinkled the collective performance of ASSE. Beyond the excellent match by Jessy Moulin and the usual good copy made by Denis Bouanga, Yvan Neyou (white circle) left his mark on the meeting. Arrived a few weeks ago from Braga, the midfielder shines as soon as he comes into play (46e) by providing availability for his teammates and mobility that Yann M’Vila does not seem to have.
With the ball on his foot, he has a real ability to turn around and orient himself in the direction of the game.
One step lower, it was Wesley Fofana who shed some light on this final with his talent. Effective in the recovery, the central defender trained in Saint-Etienne has above all ensured his role as the last bulwark thanks to a keen sense of placement and anticipation. This capital return on Mauro Icardi symbolizes his high-profile match.
Although won, this final was not the scene of a very inspired PSG. On the other hand, the Greens will be able to rely on collective discipline and great individual satisfaction to approach the coming season with confidence.
* Statistics provided by WhoScored.com. Definition given by the site: “the last pass issued before a teammate’s shot”.
Game image credits: beIN Sports UK & France Télévisions