Former Paris Saint-Germain Coach Laurent Blanc advises Napoli that his former side struggle “when forced to suffer and defend”.
The Partenopei face the Ligue 1 winners at the San Paolo in the Champions League tonight, for a match which could well be decisive for qualification to the Last 16.
“It will be a difficult match,” Blanc predicted in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s a complicated group with Liverpool and Napoli, so it’s not abnormal that PSG are in an uncomfortable position.
Former Paris Saint-Germain Coach Laurent Blanc advises Napoli that his former side struggle “when forced to suffer and defend”.
The Partenopei face the Ligue 1 winners at the San Paolo in the Champions League tonight, for a match which could well be decisive for qualification to the Last 16.
“It will be a difficult match,” Blanc predicted in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s a complicated group with Liverpool and Napoli, so it’s not abnormal that PSG are in an uncomfortable position.
“Maybe PSG are paying for the fact they dominate so easily in France, when they come up against teams of this level they can be in trouble.
“In football it’s often the midfield that wins you games.
“PSG still have players who love to dominate and keep the ball, but when forced to suffer and defend they’re in trouble.
“And if Napoli are playing with [Marek] Hamsik in front of the defence then he’s certainly someone who won’t give you the ball.
“[Carlo] Ancelotti has managed to improve a team that has played well for several years, regenerating many players with an attacking style that starts from the goalkeeper and goes to the two up-front, [Lorenzo] Insigne and [Dries] Mertens, who are very dangerous.”
Blanc also discussed Edinson Cavani’s return to Naples.
“If he plays he’s one of those who can make a difference. Cavani’s qualities are not up for discussion.
“Every striker has periods where they’re not as sharp, and his will pass too. But then it’s also up to the Coach [Thomas Tuchel] to make sure Edi feels at ease.
“Clearly though he doesn’t have the same style of play as [Kylian] Mbappé and Neymar.
“Are they compatible? It depends on the willingness of the players and the Coach, but I can’t thin of a Coach who wouldn’t like to have that problem.
“I’m not saying it’s easy to manage, but it’s a nice problem to have.”
PSG will also have two Italian players in their ranks, Gianluigi Buffon and Marco Verratti.
“Gigi is still a great professional,” Blanc confirmed.
“They’re lucky to have him, not least for the growth of [Alphonse] Areola.
“As for Verratti, he remains an exceptional player, but injuries have stalled his growth over the years. And I think he needs someone like Thiago Motta to enhance his qualities.”
Blanc is still out of work after leaving PSG, would the former Inter defender consider working in Serie A?
“I'm very attached to Serie A, and ready to listen to ambitious proposals. I would like to work in Italy, a country that I love.”