Buffon and PSG's Tuchel tussle over starting goal-keeper spot
Italian legend and World Cup winner, Gigi Buffon is set to clash with his manager Thomas Tuchel over the Paris Saint-Germain starting goal-keeper's spot. While the club owners prefer Buffon, Tuchel has his money on Alphonse Areola, the product of the club's academy. Notably, this issue has been avoided ahead of their match, against Liverpool, because of suspension of Buffon.
Tuchel has switched Areola to the number 1 spot
Even though Buffon played as the starting goal-keeper for PSG in their first two Ligue 1 matches, later he was benched in favor of Areola. The experienced custodian was quite impressive against Caen and Guingamp. The fact, that Buffon was signed by the owners, has forced Tuchel to retract his comments that Areola will always be his number one choice.
Tuchel wants PSG academy products to feature in the team
Thomas Tuchel had declared earlier that he would always prefer using youth products of the academy in the first team. Players like Rabiot, Kimpembe, Timothy Weah have found places in the PSG squad in their Ligue 1 fixtures. Regarding Areola, Tuchel said, "Alphonse comes from the training center, PSG is his life, it's everything for him".
Suspension: Why was Buffon suspended?
Gigi Buffon was suspended last season for three matches during clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. In the second leg of the encounter, Buffon was penalized for arguing with the referee on his decision of awarding Real a penalty during stoppage time. The suspension has carried on to this season as Juventus were knocked out by Real Madrid.
What were Tuchel's comments regarding the issue at hand?
Convinced that he would use academy players, Tuchel said, "This type of player is the heart and soul of PSG. They embody it." Whereas, he did not forget the legendary status of Buffon, saying, "We have a different situation with Gigi Buffon, who is a legend, an idol of Alphonse, who is at his side and these two players have very strong personalities."
