Pace in Attack Looks Set to Be Key for Unai Emery's New-Look PSG
We are only one game into the new Ligue 1 season, but it is becoming apparent that width from the full-backs is going to be a huge feature of Paris Saint-Germain's play under new boss Unai Emery.
The Trophee des Champions win over Olympique Lyonnais was a big indicator of that. Then on Friday, as they squeezed past SC Bastia in the opening game of the new Ligue 1 campaign with a 1-0 victory, most of their width was provided by Serge Aurier at right-back and Layvin Kurzawa on the left.
Lyon were dreadful at dealing with their speed, attacking aggression and movement from the other forwards that benefited from the full-backs joining the attack.
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Bastia, on the other hand, had done their homework, defended well, cut off the production at source and played to their strengths.
After just eight minutes of PSG's season opener in Klagenfurt, Austria, Lyon were caught out.
As you can see in the graphic above, PSG loaded up with significant numbers on the right wing. Seven Lyon players worked hard to cover the danger on that side. However, that just left them exposed on the opposite flank.
It took just one pass for PSG to start the attack. Aurier's throw-in was taken to Hatem Ben Arfa; without enough pressure on the forward, he turned and picked his pass.
Kurzawa, always willing to get forward, was already in the Lyon half when the ball was played across. He was able to get to within 25 yards from goal without a single challenge.
The former Monaco man then played in a wonderful left-footed cross to the back post, and with Lyon scrambling to get across the pitch, they failed to pick up Javier Pastore, and the No. 10 finished the move off with a well-taken volley.
Movement of this level means that PSG don't need to rely on a centre-forward to be the focal point. Lyon were pulled across the pitch, unable to settle into their defensive shape, and although it did take a pinpoint cross, that quickness of attack was the reason it worked so well.
When Angel Di Maria hit the crossbar minutes later, it was a very similar move, with the ball quickly played from right to left. This time, Lyon sent two men out to cover Kurzawa. He read the situation well and quickly played the ball into Di Maria, and the Argentinian's shot came off the woodwork.
Midway through the first half, Lyon were opened up again, this time on the right.
Lucas Moura was able to find acres of space in the middle of the park. Four OL players were in the midfield, but not one of them had tracked the Brazilian's movement.
As you can see above, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (red) is caught far too high up the pitch and Jeremy Morel (yellow) has to cover inside at left-back, with both he and Nicolas Nkoulou picking up Ben Arfa.
With no pressure on the ball, Lucas has time to measure his pass. Aurier is already aware of the situation and is bursting down the right.
Just like Kurzawa, he is able to advance all the way to the edge of the box before he feels significant pressure. His pass failed to find Ben Arfa through the middle, but that's all that stopped the Parisians from scoring their third of the game.
On Friday night in Corsica, the formation for PSG was identical, but Bastia's handling of the situation was far superior.
Early in the game, it's clear to see both Aurier and Kurzawa pushed high up the wings, with Bastia playing a narrow back four.
Through the middle, it's Ben Arfa this time who comes to get the ball, but unlike in Austria, he's met by Mehdi Mostefa (blue). There's no time for the Frenchman to turn and pick a pass, and the Algeria international commits the foul to prevent the danger.
You can also see how hard the other two central midfielders (yellow) are working, with Lassana Coulibaly marking Di Maria and captain Yannick Cahuzac pushing up close on Lucas.
Throughout the game, the three-man central midfield unit worked hard to make sure no one was left isolated on the wings when PSG did find space.
Building a wall in front of Pastore, there would be space for the No. 10 to pick up Kurzawa.
Yet as soon as he has the ball, Cahuzac (red) is quickly in to close him down. Alexander Djiku (yellow) isn't tempted to double team, which allows him to track the overlapping run of Adrien Rabiot—something that Lyon failed to do—and as the defence isn't stretched out, they have all bases covered and are able to clear the danger.
Defensively, Bastia played very well throughout the game. According to WhoScored, Cahuzac, Mostefa and Coulibaly combined for 11 tackles, 11 interceptions and seven fouls, stopping play when they needed to.
Across the back four, Djiku had five tackles and three interceptions. Mathieu Peybernes made four tackles, three interceptions and four clearances. That was only beaten by former Arsenal man Sebastien Squillaci, who made six clearances.
When playing against PSG, you need to play at that level or you will find yourself on the end of a four-goal defeat, as Lyon proved.
The problem for the opposition is that Emery's side are so talented—even if you can stop them, you then have to find a way to score. Bastia failed to fashion a shot on target, and when that happens, the pressure is on the defence. Eventually, PSG will get their chance, and they have enough talent to take it.
That's precisely what happened on Friday. With one lapse in concentration, some fortune and a great finish from Kurzawa, PSG scored the only goal that won them the points.
Collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, Di Maria (red) was able to find some space. Dropping deeper and deeper as the game progressed, Bastia had seven men behind the play hoping that they could cover balls in behind.
At this point, Ben Arfa had been replaced by new signing Jese (yellow). The Spaniard made a run across the back four—something we hadn't seen all night—and it created the opening.
With Di Maria in possession, the defence quickly spotted the danger and four players rushed towards the ball. Jese (yellow) saw the opportunity, made a lovely run in behind and the Argentina international picked the pass.
As they tried to recover, Kurzawa was able to follow up the play unmarked, and he volleyed in the rebound after Jese's shot was saved by Jean-Louis Leca.
That's all it took. One moment. One lapse in concentration. It was easy to label PSG as sluggish and poor, but the reason behind that was the Bastia tactics and how well they executed them.
Other teams will be able to learn from that display. You need to work hard to limit PSG's space in midfield, but that is only going to become harder as Marco Verratti and Grzegorz Krychowiak are introduced to the team.
The movement of Lucas, Di Maria and Pastore is vital. They are all able to come into the No. 10 position and find space, and that's what opens up the flanks.
Aurier and Kurzawa are more than able and willing to attack for 90 minutes. Eventually, they will find a way to create opportunities.
Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the movement of the forwards is much more fluid and difficult to track. You almost have to play to your zone rather than cover the man.
Bastia did this so well for huge chunks of the game. However, it just takes that one slip.
Jese's movement looks like it will be a good addition, and Edinson Cavani will add another dimension. Ben Arfa didn't work as a centre-forward, but that won't worry Emery too much.
PSG are settling into their new formation, and all the pieces are there for them to become an even more dangerous unit then they were last term.
All eyes will be on the four attacking players, but it's the play of Kurzawa and Aurier that looks like it will define this season.
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