At Paris Saint-Germain, Marquinhos, 31, and Willian Pacho, 24, both central defenders, have established a partnership that has transformed the club. In L’Équipe, the analyses of Ricardo and Alain Roche (former PSG players) converge: Paris now possesses a unique defensive foundation, even on a European scale.
“In terms of solidity, technique, and complementarity, what they exude is something very rare, even in Europe.”
Ricardo:
“For me, they are the strongest, there’s no debate. But it’s also the story of a team and the tremendous work done by Luis Enrique and Luis Campos. In any case, in terms of solidity, technique, and complementarity, what they exude is something very rare, even in Europe.”
Roche:
“From the moment you win the Champions League and you can also win another one, your place is special. It’s impossible to separate the legacy you leave behind from the titles. Marquinhos is being rewarded for his exceptional longevity of over twelve years. And Pacho is simply astounding. He has incredible composure, he’s dominant in duels. He reminds me of Ricardo because of the serenity he exudes.”
What Marquinhos and Pacho are building goes beyond the mere performance of a duo in form. Under Luis Enrique, this central defensive partnership has become a cornerstone of dominance, capable of securing the team without ever hindering its ambition in attack.
Marquinhos brings authority, experience, and the ability to read the game in crucial moments; Pacho, for his part, embodies an impressive, almost disconcerting, mastery at this level of competition. Their complementarity is obvious, but what’s even more striking is the impression of control they project together. Paris isn’t just defending better anymore: Paris is imposing its presence through the middle.
And when a central defense combines such composure, technique, and impact in duels, it’s no longer simply protecting a team. It’s directly helping to propel it to another level. This is undoubtedly the strongest sign of the current PSG: this partnership doesn’t seem like a temporary fix, but a lasting benchmark, capable of defining the Luis Enrique era.
