Man Utd Vs PSG 2019: Confirmed Lineups & Key Players

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Okay, guys, let’s dive into a throwback! Remember that epic Champions League clash between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019? It was a rollercoaster of emotions, tactical masterclasses, and some serious footballing drama. One of the most talked-about aspects of any big game is, of course, the lineups. So, let's jog our memories and break down exactly who took to the pitch for both sides, and how those lineups shaped the game.

Manchester United's Lineup

Manchester United's lineup against PSG in that memorable 2019 match was a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, crafted by then-manager Ole Gunnar SolskjĂŠr. The tactical setup was designed to be both defensively solid and capable of exploiting PSG's vulnerabilities on the counter-attack. Let's break down the key players and the formation.

  • Formation: SolskjĂŠr typically favored a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond, depending on the opponent and the players available. Against PSG, the formation was more of a 4-4-2 diamond, aimed at congesting the midfield and creating opportunities for quick transitions.
  • Goalkeeper: David de Gea started in goal. De Gea, at the time, was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and his shot-stopping ability was crucial for United, especially against PSG's formidable attack.
  • Defense: The defensive lineup included:
    • Luke Shaw: Playing as a left-back, Shaw’s role was to provide width on the left flank and contribute defensively. His energy and ability to get forward were vital for United’s attacking balance.
    • Victor Lindelöf and Chris Smalling: The central defensive partnership of Lindelöf and Smalling aimed to provide stability and deal with PSG’s attacking threats, particularly Kylian MbappĂ©. Their communication and positioning were key to keeping PSG at bay.
    • Ashley Young: Captaining the side, Young played as a right-back, offering experience and leadership. His defensive capabilities and crossing ability were important assets.
  • Midfield: The midfield was the engine room of the team:
    • Nemanja Matić: Playing as the defensive midfielder, Matić was tasked with shielding the defense, breaking up PSG’s attacks, and providing a screen to protect the back four. His physicality and reading of the game were essential.
    • Paul Pogba: Pogba’s role was to provide creativity and drive from midfield. His passing range, dribbling skills, and ability to score goals made him a key player in United’s attacking transitions. (Note: Pogba was suspended for the second leg.)
    • Ander Herrera: Herrera’s energy, work rate, and tactical awareness were crucial in midfield. He helped to disrupt PSG’s rhythm and win back possession.
  • Attack: The attacking players aimed to stretch PSG's defense and capitalize on any chances:
    • Marcus Rashford: Rashford played a crucial role, using his pace and dribbling to trouble the PSG defense. His ability to run in behind and finish under pressure made him a constant threat.
    • Romelu Lukaku: Lukaku led the line, providing a physical presence and a goal-scoring threat. His ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play was vital for United’s attacking play.

Key Tactical Points for Man Utd

  • Counter-Attacking: United’s game plan heavily relied on absorbing PSG's pressure and hitting them quickly on the counter-attack. The pace of Rashford and the strength of Lukaku were key to this strategy.
  • Midfield Battle: Winning the midfield battle was crucial. The energy of Herrera and the defensive capabilities of Matić were vital in disrupting PSG's play.
  • Defensive Solidity: The partnership of Lindelöf and Smalling needed to be solid to contain PSG’s attacking threats, particularly MbappĂ© and Neymar (though Neymar was injured for this game).

Paris Saint-Germain's Lineup

Paris Saint-Germain, under their coach Thomas Tuchel, aimed to assert their dominance and secure a comfortable victory against Manchester United. Their lineup was packed with talent, but injuries and suspensions played a significant role in shaping their approach. Let's delve into who started for PSG and how they were set up.

  • Formation: Tuchel favored a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximize their attacking potential and control possession. This formation allowed their talented forwards to express themselves while maintaining a solid midfield base.
  • Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon started in goal. Buffon, an experienced and legendary goalkeeper, brought a sense of calm and leadership to the PSG defense.
  • Defense: The defensive lineup included:
    • Juan Bernat: Playing as a left-back, Bernat provided width and defensive cover. His ability to get forward and deliver crosses added an extra dimension to PSG’s attack.
    • Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe: The central defensive partnership of Silva and Kimpembe aimed to provide experience and solidity. Their ability to read the game and make crucial tackles was essential.
    • Thilo Kehrer: Kehrer played as a right-back, offering defensive stability and support to the attack. His versatility was a valuable asset for Tuchel.
  • Midfield: The midfield was designed to control the game and provide a platform for the attack:
    • Marquinhos: Usually a center-back, Marquinhos played as a defensive midfielder, tasked with breaking up play and protecting the defense. His versatility and tactical awareness were crucial.
    • Marco Verratti: Verratti’s role was to dictate the tempo of the game and provide creativity from midfield. His passing range, dribbling skills, and ability to control possession were vital.
    • Julian Draxler: Draxler added creativity and flair to the midfield. His ability to find space and create chances made him a key player in PSG’s attacking setup.
  • Attack: The attacking trio aimed to exploit United's defense and score goals:
    • Kylian MbappĂ©: MbappĂ© was the main attacking threat, using his blistering pace and clinical finishing to trouble the United defense. His ability to run in behind and score from tight angles made him a constant danger.
    • Edinson Cavani: (Note: Cavani was injured for this game.) With Cavani out, PSG lacked a true center-forward.
    • Ángel Di MarĂ­a: Di MarĂ­a provided creativity and experience on the wing. His crossing ability, dribbling skills, and eye for goal made him a valuable asset.

Key Tactical Points for PSG

  • Possession and Control: PSG aimed to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Verratti and Marquinhos were key to this strategy, dictating play from midfield.
  • Exploiting Pace: The pace of MbappĂ© was a crucial weapon. PSG looked to exploit the space in behind the United defense with his runs.
  • Defensive Organization: Despite their attacking talent, PSG needed to remain defensively solid. The experience of Thiago Silva and the versatility of Marquinhos were vital in this regard.

The Impact of the Lineups

The lineups played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the match. Manchester United's counter-attacking approach, combined with their defensive resilience, made them a tough opponent for PSG. The absence of key players like Neymar and Cavani for PSG forced Tuchel to adjust his tactics, impacting their attacking fluidity.

Manchester United's Tactical Success

  • Disciplined Defense: United's defense, led by Lindelöf and Smalling, managed to contain PSG’s attacking threats for large periods of the game.
  • Counter-Attacking Prowess: The pace of Rashford and the clinical finishing of Lukaku on the counter-attack proved to be decisive.
  • Midfield Dominance: The work rate of Herrera and the defensive capabilities of Matić helped United disrupt PSG's rhythm in midfield.

PSG's Challenges

  • Injuries and Suspensions: The absence of Neymar and Cavani significantly weakened PSG's attacking options.
  • Lack of Clinical Finishing: Despite creating chances, PSG struggled to convert them, highlighting the absence of their key strikers.
  • Defensive Vulnerabilities: United exploited PSG's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly on the counter-attack.

Conclusion

That Champions League clash between Manchester United and PSG in 2019 was one for the ages! The lineups set the stage for a tactical battle, with Manchester United ultimately triumphing over PSG. Understanding the lineups and the tactical approaches of both teams provides valuable insight into the game's dynamics and the factors that contributed to the final result. What a game, right? Let's hope for more such classics in the future!