5-0 is just a representation: decoding Paris "disorder" victory, Enrique redefining modern football

Most fans may not have expected such a Champions League final. At first glance, this looks like a complete crush without analysis. Paris Saint-Germain is the top, while Inter Milan... (Please imagine any polite words for yourself). But in reality, this game fully proves that Louis Enrique finally boarded the train of modern football and may have even been ahead.

The real uniqueness of this Paris Saint-Germain team is not based on the mechanical system, but based on instinct, the instinct that the Spanish coach has successfully cultivated in the players. The 5-0 victory over Inter Milan not only highlights the team's evolution, but also shows the coach's own transformation.

This core weapon in Paris is an extremely high ball dealer - players perfectly "read" the situation on the court

If you want to list all the rotations of Paris players in a game, this article will not be finished next week. Even so, you may have to finish the midfield triangle: Fabian Ruiz-Vitinia-Neves' actions, and they look different every time they appear. How these three players switch positions at different stages of the game and move behind each other is dazzling.

In addition, there is an offensive trident composed of Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Douai, which is also difficult to track or draw a hot zone map. The previous second Douai made a cross from the right, and the next second he shot from the left. Dembele appeared in the middle and rushed back to the right to defend. Kvaratskhelia starts from the wing he is used to, and then appears in the penalty area like Haaland's classic 9.

and Mendes and Ashraf, who appeared in the opposing penalty area faster than the winger and midfielder, and seemed to have fallen from the sky. What's more, Ashraf will appear randomly in the middle of the midfield, while the right side will be taken over by any player who wants to occupy it.

Check out these screenshots: Can you tell the exact formation of Paris or the exact position of the player?

In short, this may look like a mess. But that's not the case, because almost every player has a super high ball dealer and can read the game effortlessly. They can see where the gap is, know when to fill up the runs for teammates, and how to get in between defenses. Enrique’s biggest advantage is that he does not impose rigid structures, he just trusts his players and their understanding of the game.

This type of movement is exactly what we call instinct. It is unpredictable, which is very different from rigid systems and mechanisms. This may be why Guardiola's Manchester City, which we have long been accustomed to, has struggled this season.

Final MVP Douai is an excellent example of top game awareness. Just look at the performance of MVP Douai in the first half of the game. First, in this wave of positional offense, the 19-year-old did not stick to his nominal right winger position, but instead swam to the middle, while Ashraf and Dembele occupied the right.

Then, he and Kvaratskhelia completed a wonderful "felt attack" running in the penalty area. No matter how compact the defense is, it is extremely difficult to react to such movements.

Especially when Douai's genius running position was discovered by another genius Vitinia and sent a perfect "scalpel" to pass directly.

icing on the cake? Ashraf's position selection once again made the opponent unpredictable. Especially Dimarco in this final, he seemed to protest with refusing to keep his opponents in sight.

The second goal is exactly the same. Paris exploited a free and fragile area on the Inter defense line in a counterattack.

Guess who completed the key running while Ruiz deliberately pulled Dimarco away?

Yes, it was Douai, who eventually received a pass from Dembele and got an excellent shooting position.

Louis Enrique finally caught up with the modern trend - and abandoned the outdated style. It is worth recalling that Louis Enrique's appointment in the summer of 2023 was questioned. Especially after Spain's disappointing 2022 World Cup, the world bid farewell to the country's iconic style that had lost its edge in the early 2010s. Spain lost 1-2 to Japan with 83.3% ball possession rate in the group stage. Then he was unable to score a goal (0-0, ball possession rate of 77%) against Morocco in the round of 16 and was eliminated.

After joining Paris, Enrique initially regained his old habits, the kind of invalid pass-through that scares fans. Every time they see those passing roadmaps, they feel embarrassed:

But over time, Enrique began to evolve. Especially after "losing" Mbappe, when the other 10 players no longer need to make up for his low engagement. Paris spread its wings:

They added longitudinality—average 36 long passes per game, compared to 29.08 last season.

They pass forward more frequently, taking risks rather than choosing to take the ball ineffectively - 70.89 passes into the third zone of the offensive (60.35 last season) and 77.55 propulsive passes (67.58 last season).

Despite the lack of traditional centers, they hit the penalty area more frequently - averaging 14.29 crosses per game (12.28 last season) and 29.43 touches in the penalty area (23.28 last season).

Today's Paris is no longer about cautious and lengthy ball possession.

Today's Paris attack open space—even if it means longitudinal advancement or long-pass rushing.

Today's Paris counterattacks at speed - because the offense and defense conversion space is the most, it is stupid not to use this.

Today's Paris players do not hesitate to fight their opponents alone - even if they look too optimistic at first glance (you, Douai).

Today's Paris will not waste energy trying to control that 5% of the ball in the midfield - they will devote their energy to active oppression. In this regard, they destroyed Inter and pushed the defense line extremely high.

And to be honest, have you ever seen Dembele so actively oppressing when organizing his opponent's backcourt? Especially during his time at Barcelona?

Louis Enrique has evolved to catch up with the team that has shocked Europe with its vitality and intensity in recent years. And, with his use of continuous shifting runs and the freedom he gives players, he may even have surpassed these teams to lay the foundation for continued domination in the coming season.

Inter Milan is just a poor skill?

And Inter Milan...well, what else can we say? Faced with such a Paris, they really seem helpless. All the principles that have previously brought success to this Milan team have failed:

Lawtaro Martinez retreated to catch the ball (Paccio and Marginhos predicted well and completed the interception).

Dumfries' high position and aerial cross (Mendes, like against Salah and Saka, completely locked the Dutch star).

hoped in the midfield triangle (Paris' young trio completely suppressed the old Mkhitaryan and Cialhanoglu. Without them, Nicolo Barrera had only about 10 touches in the first 30 minutes).

Settings (There were some threatening situations, but the chances of two corner kicks were excellent, but Inter Milan players missed the shot).

Simone Inzaghi came to the final with a very limited strategy. All that remains is to rely on fighting spirit and spirit. But unlike Barcelona, ​​Paris has no inexperienced children or unstable Araujo on the back line.