Competition does wonders... in theory. In reality, it causes chaos and tensions among the Saints
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 22.12.21. | 18:13
It's anything but rainbows and butterflies at Parc des Princes
There's nothing like healthy competition in the squad, they say. You can only raise the bar in such circumstances and push yourself beyond the limits, they say.
Oh, how wrong they actually are.
Just take a look at Paris Saint-Germain and their squad packed with stars, with a fierce battle for every single spot in the starting XI. Ok, forwards excluded.
WED: 23.00: (9.00) LORIENT (4.90) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (1.40)
But keepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas are two extraordinary players aware of the fact only one of them can stand between the posts. And it causes anything but pleasant talks and a healthy environment.
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino decided to rotate Navas and Donnarumma and give the two goalkeepers minutes, but being used to being starters, problems between them have been present. On countless occasions, both goalkeepers have said that they do not have a rivalry.
When PSG played Nice, Nice’s backup GK Marcin Bulka (on loan from PSG) went to the PSG dressing room and told Keylor Navas it was a coincidence that he wore the same gloves as Navas.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 21, 2021
Navas looked at Gianluigi Donnarumma & said, “You see, the best GKs wear this brand.” [@lequipe] pic.twitter.com/aEibJnFtho
However, Pochettino revealed in a press conference that when he made the decision to rotate both goalkeepers, difficulties arose in the team.
"There are always moments of difficulty, understanding, development and acceptance, but I think that now after five months working together there is a good understanding and the competitiveness is good and healthy. "
Despite the problems and even statements from Gigi's environment that they were not happy that he was not a starter, the Argentine coach acknowledged that both goalkeepers had behaved up to the task.
"When the decision was made, there is always a question mark percentage of how it is going to come out. We must congratulate the keepers because they have put themselves up and empathized with each other to understand the situation. The only thing they can do is raise the level they have, " concluded Poch.
LIGUE 1 - ROUND 19
Wednesday
23:00 Clermont Foot 63 - Strasbourg
23:00 Lorient - Paris Saint-Germain
23:00 Olympique de Marseille - Stade de Reims
23:00 Olympique Lyonnais - Metz
23:00 Saint-Etienne - FC Nantes
23:00 Troyes - Stade Brestois 29
***odds are subject to change
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