Few hobbies in Europe have made more noise in exchange for less results, and very few have the inherent grace of the city that made the operetta an eternal symbol of sensual exaltation. Feeling that they had at hand the first Champions League final to which they could go to party, triggered in the fans of Paris Saint-Germain what Luis Enrique calls “passion” and that, according to the Asturian coach, is the basic seasoning of the unleashed style of his team, something that makes fortune among the crowd. It was an irony, or an inevitable consequence, that was Fabián Ruiz, the least blissful of the players of the workforce, which opened with a goal of half volley the doors of the fair that leads to the final of Munich of May 31.
“when you have problems you have to get your best version,” said Luis Enrique, disheveled and Rubicundo, after midnight on Wednesday, when after winning Arsenal 2-1 (3-1 in the global tie) When leaving the locker room someone asked him for Fabian. The technician had just turned 54 and the name of the Sevillian midfielder evoked him a past of personal and professional difficulties. “Fabi,” he said, “He has been here for years and perhaps when I wasted in the PSG, he could think that maybe he was not going to be very important. The first week we arrived I made some joke! Today he has been superb.”
After three seasons in Paris, at 29, Fabián has acquired the seriousness of the commanders. He has participated in all PSG games in Champions on the way to a historical outcome against Inter Milan. If the blue painting raises the trophy, it will be the first in the story that achieves it after playing 16 games, a record, and suffering five losses, another record, starting with a series of 2-0 against Arsenal, 1-2 against Atlétic Arsenal and Atlético. When Spanish acquired competition rhythm, the structure stabilized and the PSG began to display an amazing game for dynamic and aggressive. In February, after winning the City 4-2, Luis Enrique paid tribute to him by acting: “I did not take him to the world Cup in Qatar and I was wrong.”
They say in the PSG that the technician goes for life as if the material things that occupy others care less than a Higa, and something similar can be said of Fabian, another overwhelming character. It was not strange that both were disenchanted, perhaps for the most banal cause, when the coach was a coach of Spain and the footballer was preparing to leave Naples for the PSG after four seasons in Italy. They may both be sent for grapes, but from those friction a reciprocal respect arose. When they met again in Paris in 2023, the two discovered that they shared much more than a way of being and being in the competition.
As a arrival midfielder, Marc Roca’s squire and shoulder shoulder with Ceballos, Fabián had been a fundamental player in the selection that conquered the sub-21 Eurocup in 2019. He did not miss teachers among his coaches, all former flyers: Quique Setién in Betis; and Ancelotti, Gatusso and Spalletti in Naples. Among all formed an expert in the distribution of spaces and tasks required by 4-3-3. Learning served him to assemble as a providential piece in Luis Enrique’s idea. Together with Neves and Vitinha they have formed that for most sports directors in Europe it is the best center of the world field, worthy successor to Rodri’s triumvirate, Bernardo Silva and Bruyne in the City, and of the medium that Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta installed in the most precious thing in the book of great soccer manufacturers.
“In the last Eurocup, for me Fabian was the best midfielder of the tournament; he is an impressive player who brings us a lot with and without a ball,” said Luis Enrique, contemplating the newly finished work of a man who is an example of rebellion and altruism. Essential in a template populated with immature Canteanos that are impatient because they are not holders. “I am very happy that the players do Fabián and turn their situation around because we need everyone,” said the coach.
In front of Arsenal, who took over the ball during 51% of the game time, Fabián did much more than unlocking the game when the PSG was besieged and threatened by the discouragement. He had to multiply in defense. He covered the left half of the field, helped Mendes defend the arrivals of Saka and Timber, sabotaged the supply lines that went from party to Merino passing through Odegaard, made shots of shots that relieved Donnarumma, he went to the side of Neves when the circumstances demanded that he assume the obligations of others backlaps that were devastating.
“Dooked a lot”
“We are a team that we intend to have the ball more than the rival,” said Luis Enrique. “For that in the midfield you need smart players and who have the ability to move a lot and chop in depth. Fabián deceives a lot. It does not seem very fast, but it has a very long stride and makes movements at the right time. Today he has been able to support the team with an impressive goal that has given us a lot of peace of mind. Since last season he is at a very high level.”
Fabián and Luis Enrique have become accomplices. Sympathy is mutual. Together with Vitihna, Neves and Marquinhos, they preach the law of solidarity. Paris Saint-Germain flies inspired by them.
