Luis Enrique compares PSG's Lucas Beraldo to Sergio Busquets
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has drawn a notable comparison between his Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo and Spanish legend Sergio Busquets. The comments came after Beraldo delivered an impressive performance in an unfamiliar midfield role during PSG's 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Angers on Saturday. Luis Enrique, who coached Busquets at Barcelona, named Beraldo his man of the match and highlighted the player's technical qualities in a new position.
Luis Enrique stated that Beraldo is "more Sergio Busquets than Vitinha," referencing his own attacking midfielder, and praised the 20-year-old's adaptability. "I don't really like pushing a defender into midfield. I prefer to drop an attacking player back, but Beraldo is a Brazilian with a lot of technical qualities," the Spanish coach explained in his post-match press conference. The defender, who joined PSG from São Paulo in a permanent transfer during the January 2024 window, rewarded his manager's tactical gamble by providing an assist and scoring a goal in the comprehensive win.
This performance marked Lucas Beraldo's most influential display since arriving in the French capital earlier this year. Primarily signed as a central defender, his deployment in midfield represents a significant tactical shift from Luis Enrique, who is known for his preference to adapt attacking players for deeper roles. The successful experiment comes at a crucial time for PSG, who face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final this week.
The comparison to Sergio Busquets, one of the most decorated and tactically astute defensive midfielders of his generation, is a significant compliment to the young Brazilian's reading of the game and distribution. Beraldo's emergence in this role could provide Luis Enrique with a valuable new option in the engine room, especially with the squad navigating a demanding schedule across multiple competitions. His physical presence and defensive instincts, honed as a center-back, offer a different profile to PSG's other midfield alternatives.
For Beraldo, the move to PSG for a reported fee of 20 million euros was a major step in his young career after breaking through at São Paulo. The opportunity to contribute in a high-stakes Champions League tie against Bayern Munich represents the next level of challenge. His sudden prominence in a new position underscores the fluid and demanding nature of top-level football, where versatility is increasingly prized. How Luis Enrique utilizes him in the coming weeks, starting with the crucial European fixture, will be closely watched.
