PSG and Newcastle drew in France as both teams fell out of the automatic spots for the Uefa Champions League round of 16.
It looked like it was going to be an easy game for the French side, who saw a penalty go their way just two minutes in.
Despite Nick Pope saving Ousmane Dembele’s attempt, the hosts kept charging forward and scored just four minutes later through Vitinha. Not even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s injury slowed them down, as Desire Doue came on and had a good game as well.
So before the Magpies got back into the game, we need to mention what led to them struggling so much in the first place.
What made Newcastle struggle vs PSG and how did Eddie Howe fix things?
PSG’s ability to manufacture space going forward
PSG were their usual self, setting up mainly in a 3-2-5 in-possession with lots of rotations to generate doubts on opposing defenders and create space.
Luis Enrique pinned the front three up front knowing that Newcastle’s midfield would try to press. This strategy created a hole in midfield that allowed them room to drive forward in dangerous central zones and also enabled them to win second balls.
It manifested positively in two huge ways early on. Leaving the forwards high up the pitch meant they were always playing on the last shoulder and Bradley Barcola tried to gain advantage over Lewis Miley this way. It’s what originated the play of the penalty.
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And in the lead-up to their goal, the Parisians successfully baited the Magpies’ press and used Dembele dropping deep as an outlet. The pass went over him, but Lewis Hall’s poor touch meant the ball went straight back to them.
Curiously, with all the space down the middle, they decided to go wide – on the right, with Kvaratskhelia. It was actually a way of manipulating Newcastle’s attack-defence transition to go there, emptying the middle. Vitinha received in a central area on the edge of the box and scored, but Dembele was also there with him. Both completely unmarked.
In the second half, their focus shifted more to the half-spaces. Nuno Mendes spent more time out wide than in the first half, dragging Miley along with him. It increased the gap between him and Malick Thiaw, while Anthony Elanga never positioned himself behind Warren Zairre-Emery who also tried to exploit that space.
Goncalo Ramos’ negative impact
Ultimately, in an attempt to have more bodies forward and a true number nine inside the box, Luis Enrique brought Goncalo Ramos into the fray.
It was a valid effort, considering they needed to score. But it actually hampered their chances of getting another goal.
All three of Newcastle’s centre-backs were often jumping up and tracking Doue’s, Dembele’s and Barcola’s movements when they dropped deep. This was a big part of how they managed to manipulate the Magpies’ defence and create openings.
Ramos’ less mobile style actually meant that Sven Botman, who was playing more centrally, spent more time in position instead of being dragged out.
In a way, Luis Enrique’s choice – which, again, was justified – played into Newcastle’s hands.
Newcastle’s ‘loose’ attack
Not only that, but also enabled them to create more danger going forward. Especially after Eddie Howe replaced Joe Willock (who had a delightful game) and Anthony Elanga with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
Both brought a lot more pace and speed to their attack, as well as Yoane Wissa who came on for Nick Woltemade.
Suddenly, as PSG launched forward desperately trying to make it 2-1, there was acres of space for the renewed front three to run into. And they did, several times, ultimately failing to capitalise. But it did generate a lot of danger and chances for them down the stretch.
Another factor was Barnes’ movement – which was the same as Elanga’s while he was on the pitch. Eddie Howe focused on attacking down the left, considering Achraf Hakimi’s defensive shortcomings – as many teams do.
But he took it a step further, bringing Elanga from the right wing to the left. He challenged PSG’s man-oriented marking and tried to create confusion, since Mendes wouldn’t go all the way with Elanga. Barnes also appeared on the left-hand side a few times in his limited involvements.
Woltemade, in theory, is also useful in this scenario as he likes to drop deep and get touches during build-up. It just happened that he had a poor performance individually, but the concept makes sense.
Set-pieces and change in approach
It’s hard not to mention set-pieces as part of the Magpies’ getting back into the game. There were two or three situations before the goal with similar structure: Dan Burn flick-ons to the middle of the box. That is, of course, how Joe Willock equalised.
But there was an overall shift of approach from the English side. They tried settling down and keeping possession when possible for the last 5-10 minutes of the first half. And then carried it into the second half.
Thiaw and Burn taking a few steps forward in-possession helped the team establish themselves in the attacking half. Whenever the ball was down their respective sides, both wide-centre-backs offered support and became passing options to midfielders and forwards to recycle possession and go again.
And they did have a few nice sequences before the substitutions. Considering that players such as Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy didn’t even play – and that Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes only came on 68 minutes in -, it was encouraging to see from the Magpies.
The only thing left is carry the impressive Champions League performances into the Premier League. Though they have struggled with that all season long.