PSG Small Talk Podcast: Paris Perfect in Ligue 1 + Red Star/Lyon Preview

Paris Saint-Germain remains perfect in domestic competition following their 3-0 win over OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday. Eight victories in Ligue 1, plus their win over AS Monaco in the Trophée des Champions is a great start for new manager Thomas Tuchel with their only blemish coming in stoppage time at Anfield.

With a decent sample size already, what can we deduce about Tuchel’s version of Paris Saint-Germain? On the latest episode of PSG Small Talk, host Marc Damon is joined by fellow contributors Jon Olangi and Eduardo Razo to discuss recent results (Stade de Reims and Nice), preview a tough week ahead (Red Star Belgrade and Olympique Lyonnais), and how Tuchel is fundamentally changing the way the club operates.

For even the most casual PSG fans, it’s obvious Tuchel is experimenting and moving players around on the fly. To only have one loss on the season is actually kind of surprising if we’re being honest. What has come from all that experimentation is a more balanced starting lineup with some players in new positions—Marquinhos playing in the midfield for example. PSG’s vaunted attack is one of the best in the world but with a focus on a defensive midfield and stout back line, Tuchel is beginning to work out his preferred formation.

Perhaps Tuchel’s biggest contribution so far is uncovering a diamond in the rough within the PSG ranks. Moussa Diaby has been a revelation and has already seen significant playing time for a 19-year-old at one of the biggest clubs in Europe. He’s not a star yet, but his ability to put pressure on opposing defenses has allowed the rest of his teammates to thrive. He’s a dependable role player now but we expect big things from him in the coming years.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting continues to impress since arriving from Stoke City FC. The journeyman has landed at a massive club and you can tell he’s not going to let this opportunity pass by without giving 100 percent effort. His mentality is a breath of fresh air and quite honestly, we hope it rubs off on some of the other players in the squad.

The coming week will be a tough one for Paris. They face Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday and then host rivals Lyon the following Sunday. Following the loss to Liverpool, PSG needs an impressive showing against Belgrade. Anything less than a win is unacceptable and Les Parisiens need to score early and often and put the game away before halftime.

Lyon is always a fun match and given what they did to Manchester City, Paris should expect to have their hands full in what is one of the most highly anticipated games on the Ligue 1 calendar.

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Tags Alphonse Areola Angel Di Maria Champions League Christopher Nkunku Edinson Cavani Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Gianluigi Buffon Giovani Lo Celso Juan Bernat Kylian Mbappé Ligue 1 Marco Verratti Marquinhos Moussa Diaby Nasser Al-Khelaifi Neymar OGC Nice Olympique Lyonnais podcast Presnel Kimpembe PSG Small Talk Red Star Belgrade Stade de Reims Thilo Kehrer Thomas Tuchel
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