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ANALYSE – En parfait écho avec les désirs du sélectionneur en mars, le talentueux parisien, qui retrouve l’OL ce dimanche (21h) au milieu d’une course finale passionnante, a une belle opportunité de briller en vue de l’Euro.
C’est ainsi que se dessine la confrontation… Cinq jours après son exploit à Barcelone (1-4) mardi lors des quarts de finale retour de la Ligue des champions, le PSG de Bradley Barcola se prépare à affronter Lyon, équipe en grande forme du moment, lors de la 30e journée de Ligue 1. Un match de haut vol et un avant-goût de la finale de la Coupe de France qui opposera ces deux équipes le 25 mai prochain à Lille. Ce sera sans aucun doute un rendez-vous particulier pour le jeune Barcola (21 ans), formé à l’OL et qui avait été accueilli pour son premier match en Rouge et Bleu par des réactions hostiles de son ancien public au Groupama Stadium.
Arrivant à Paris avec discrétion, Barcola était initialement perçu comme un remplaçant de Kylian Mbappé et Ousmane Dembélé. C’est ainsi qu’il avait débuté sa saison. Malgré cela, Luis Enrique, convaincu par les compétences du joueur, lui a trouvé une place de titulaire à quelques occasions en Ligue 1. Cependant, en Ligue des champions, la compétition était plus rude : sur le banc contre Dortmund (2-0), 33 minutes contre Newcastle (4-1), encore sur le banc face à Milan (3-0) et une seule minute à San Siro (2-1). Il y a eu aussi PSG-Newcastle (1-1). Entrant en jeu à la 62e minute, Barcola a suscité critiques et déceptions. Des commentaires durs et amers ont fusé.
« He has played matches of a high level but that doesn’t mean everything is positive. He has to continue working. He is a player who works hard every day, which is very good and will pay off, » says Luis Enrique. « Bradley was a bet from the sporting director and the staff… Being part of a team like PSG is not easy for any player, » he adds. PSG’s number 21 seems to have adapted very well, it is quite clear.
Starting from Newcastle, Barcola figured as a starter in the mind of the 53-year-old Spanish coach, who played a crucial role in his transfer to Paris according to various sources. His speed, his ability to eliminate defenders, his connection with Mbappé and Dembélé make him a first choice in the eyes of the coach. Last Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc, it was evident once again. The Hope international dynamited the Barcelona defense in the first half, causing Ronald Araujo’s expulsion and providing the first goal of the match to ‘Dembouz’. « The keys? To put the intensity we lacked in the first leg… And even in our minds, we were better, so there was everything to win, » savored Jorge Mendes’ protege.
These performances suggest that Barcola has matured. Especially considering his decision to join Paris last summer for 50 million euros, after only six successful months with his training club, Lyon. « I know I made a very good choice coming here, I had no doubt about it. I am very happy. I am proud to be a Parisian today and I hope we can go as far as possible, » he says. As for the league, the competition is already decided. The dice are cast for the French Cup final. And as for the Champions League, they will face Dortmund on May 1st and 7th in the semi-finals. What about Real Madrid or Bayern Munich?
However, these are not the only dates marked in red on his calendar. There is undoubtedly also May 16, the day when Didier Deschamps will reveal his squad for Euro 2024 (June 14 to July 14). In March, the coach had already considered him… before reconsidering. « He is one of the players we follow. He has shown good things lately. He needs to confirm and assert himself more in terms of content. But he is a player with great potential, » said « DD », who preferred Moussa Diaby to replace the absence of Kingsley Coman. « It seemed more logical to recall Moussa. But I don’t know what will happen by May, » he said.
When it comes to the offensive sector in the French team for the Euros, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani are the favorites. Then there are Kingsley Coman and Christopher Nkunku. The first will be out for « several weeks » due to a thigh injury with Bayern, while the second, who hasn’t been called up since 2022, before the World Cup, has had several setbacks and has just resumed training with Chelsea. If Deschamps has to do without them, the choice could fall on Moussa Diaby or Bradley Barcola. « The Blues? If it happens, it happens, » said PSG’s number 29 in February. He would be called up by Thierry Henry for the Olympics if he misses out on Euro 2024.
To convince Deschamps, Barcola has just under a month until the squad announcement. By then, PSG will have played four Ligue 1 matches (Lyon, Lorient, Le Havre, Nice) and the Champions League semi-final against Dortmund. If he continues his Barcelona performance, the former Lyon player will have every chance, having scored three goals and made seven assists for PSG (32 matches) since last summer.
Not particularly impressed by his performances, Pierre Sage « already appreciated a lot of things about him when he played in the reserve team at OL ». Referring to his « intelligence in organizing his game according to his partner », the Lyon coach notes that Barcola « has been able to showcase his qualities in a competitive team. I hope he will be rewarded at the end of this season… except for a certain date that we all know. » This refers to the French Cup final on May 25th.
Barcola’s former teammate, Maxence Caqueret, full of praises for him, primarily thinks about the PSG-OL match this Sunday before the final. « Surprised by his level? Not at all. He is an incredibly talented player who knows what he wants. I am not surprised at all but very happy for him because he is a great guy, I am still in contact with him. I am glad he can establish himself in such a big club, to perform. After all, I hope he will be a little less performant this weekend and that we can win the match, » said the Lyon midfielder to the press, recalling a player who « immediately made an impact in the locker room, even though he had little or no playing time. He has been patient, and it is to his credit. »
Continuing on Bradley Barcola’s performance against Barcelona last Tuesday, he adds: « What he did well was in his penetration, something he already had here but had to perfect. He is a rather complete winger. I am pleased that he can develop and I think he still has room for improvement to become an even better player. » This promises great prospects. Bradley Barcola knows what he has to do to dream bigger.
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