Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier sees his depth at center-back tested this early part of the season with injuries to Presnel Kimpembe and Danilo Pereira.
As a result, Galtier cannot continue playing a backline of three center-backs for the time being. Elie Baup, former coach of Bordeaux, spoke in Le Parisien (h/t Paris Fans) about Galtier changing his system.
Baup discussed the importance of putting the three attacking stars in their best positions by giving them some freedom, so a change to a backline of four will benefit Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Jr.
“The three are able to pick up, to combine,” Baup told the French publication. “They are players so comfortable that they should not be sent to the sides.
“The whole thing is to know who will manage the depth to stretch the opposing block and Mbappé is not bad for that (laughs). We have to give them freedom anyway.”
This style could be temporary while Kimpembe and Pereira heal from their injuries. Furthermore, Galtier can revert to a back line of three if PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos can add another central defender during the January transfer window.
Campos failed to land one this past January, which can help head back to Galtier’s previous system. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if this switch to the 4-3-1-2 does indeed benefit their attacking trio.
