Who would you play in defence against PSG?

I don't think 3 at the back is wise at all. A back three leaves you exposed in the wide areas which is exactly where PSG's strength is. Flat back 4 for me.

 

Not if it's more of a back 5, with the wing-backs hanging back mostly and only coming forward on the break, one at a time.

 

Yes thats true but the problem with a back 5 is that its difficult to get out at times and i found against Barca last year when we used that system in the first game that it meant we dropped a bit too deep which allowed them to press very high and keep us camped in our own half.

 

It's tough because I'm almost inclined to go with a 5 but due to injuries it would throwing in the likes of Ralston, Miller or Ajer.

Even a flat back 4 seems difficult because I'd rather put myself there then play bitton in this game at CB.

But should boyata be OK then it has to be lustig jozo boboyata KT.

 

we're * lol.

must be lustig at cb and give gamboa a chance

 

Aye, it's about balance. You have to keep relatively deep, but with the intelligence to sit higher and wider when the game allows, and break when it's on.

It's the kind of system that can work quite well, but I don't think we get enough practice at it in a league where it's too easy for us to just steamroller teams with 2 and the back and flying wing-backs.

Still, I think with the position we've left ourselves in, it's our best option.

 

This thread has just confirmed something we already knew: it's a serious risk no matter what we do. Two things are for sure:

1) Whoever is in there, Jozo and Lustig will have to talk them through the game at the same time as doing their own jobs against some of the best attackers in the world. I don't envy the concentration levels that will be required of those two TBH.

2) The choice will be made on what allows us to defend best as a team. I know that's obvious; but it has a few non-obvious corollaries. For example if Bitton's ball retention is key to whatever plan BR and CD have hatched, he'll get the nod even if there are better defenders available (e.g. Ayer); Conversely we will need a system to get us up the pitch, even at the expense of playing a less natural defender at CB: if you are going to be weak there whoever we play, the last thing you want is to invite pressure on that area by getting pushed deep or negating our own strengths by having Sinclair and Roberts pushed back deep into our own half to help the defence.

All things considered, and I shudder to say this, I'm expecting a back 4 with Bitton as the least-bad option. However, whatever strategy BR and CD make out of this, I trust them to come up with a really good one, whether it works or not (sometimes against that kind of quality, even really good plans don't come off).

 

Would definitely go for

Gamboa Lustig Simunovic Tierney

Bitton has done well for the most part covering at centre back but as we have seen, because he isn't a natural defender he has the tendency to switch off. That is just asking for trouble against the likes of Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe.

 

I feel exactly the same.

We have the makings of a great team but we're seriously let down by the defence. I had high hopes for us in Europe this season, but after the transfer window I'm starting to revise that view.

Was criminal not to bring in a high quality CB. That should have been a priority target.

I fear we're going to concede lots of goals again this year.

 

The old saying attack is the best form of defence applies here. The best way to contain PSG is to keep them on the backfoot and away from our dodgy defence for as long as possible. If we sit in with a 5 across the back we invite them on to us and our weak spot. Take the game to them, press them high and put them under pressure.

 

started typing a few options and ended up not happy with any of them
I'd go with a 3 and flood the midfield

 

Tierney
baresi
maldini
alberto

 

Why we weren't in a position to bring in another CB is beyond me. If we are exposed then that will be to blame. Unbelievable.

 

Who do you recommend we should have brought in to attempt to defend against a forward 3 worth more than £400m?

 

Not for destructive work. Ajer also provides some serious height, which might help to copy Lennon's success against Barcelona.

 

Land mines.

 

Ajer is a CB now..

 

I doubt he lost all knowledge of playing as a DM. It's what he started out as. With Brown beside him, he should do well. Having two tough midfielders as a security policy could allow Rogić to see more of the ball.

 

If Gamboa is ready to play I would play him with Lustig central. Not a game for Bitton at Centre half.

 

Ajer won't start.. especially in the midfield that's nonsense..

He is CB now a raw one, with potential..