Mith the tip that three German coaches are in the semi-finals of the Champions League this season, and none of them is named Jürgen Klopp, you could have made a fortune. For fans and experts in this unique and unpredictable constellation, it was also clear that Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann as coaches have what it takes to get so far in the premier class. But not necessarily this season – and under the circumstances. Contrary to (almost) all probability, this Tuesday, when Paris Saint-Germain meets RB Leipzig in the first semi-final (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League, Sky and DAZN), one of them will do his next masterpiece – and on Sunday will be the fifth German coach after Hitzfeld, Heynckes, Toppmöller and Klopp to play for the title in the Champions League.
The similarities between the two coaches, who are similar in terms of tactics, but otherwise quite different, are quickly listed. Tuchel and Nagelsmann, both socialized with the Swabian football school á la Ralf Rangnick, essentially rely on counter-pressing and forward defense. There are also a few other tactical elements to increase the unpredictability. But despite the shared basic convictions, the differences in the work of Tuchel and Nagelsmann are considerable. In truth, they do two completely different jobs in Paris and Leipzig.
Tuchel joined an international project two years ago. All structures were already lashed in place. Significant personnel changes on the way to the big goal, the triumph in the Champions League, do not fall within the competence of the coach. He has only limited influence on the development of the squad. Tuchel has to get along with what’s there in Paris. And in terms of quality and different interests, that’s a lot.
With Neymar and world champion Mbappé, two superstars from the very front row of world football are on the field, for which PSG has paid a total of around 400 million euros. There are also two other top stars, Silva and Di María. The Uruguayan star striker Edinson Cavani would have been the fifth, but strangely enough, he is not there in Lisbon, although – unlike Timo Werner – it is not even certain which club Cavani will sign for the coming season.
The Ich-AG discovers team spirit
In the global Parisian construction, which has no equal on the planet football, Neymar is the central and most expensive building block. It is its own center of power in a club that, after the financial takeover by Qatar Holding LLC, is controlled by financiers from the emirate around President Nasser Al Khelaifi. In addition, at PSG there is also the influence of the French, who continue to perceive the club as “their” club. In terms of sport, the influence of the Portuguese-speaking parliamentary group on the position of sports director, which the Brazilian Leonardo has taken over from the Portuguese Antero Henrique since this season, should not be underestimated. This is the multicultural world in which a German trainer moves as a trainer – and wants to make a difference.
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