Alphonse Areola made his first steps in Ligue 1 Conforama in May 2013. Five years on, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has a FIFA World Cup winner’s medal to his name, but it hasn’t always been so straightforward…
Areola, now 25, also has two French top-flight titles in his trophy cabinet. The arrival of Gianluigi Buffon at the Parc des Princes in the summer has nonetheless put some pressure on his position, but Parisian is taking things in his stride.
‘Worked like a dog’
“I spent three years out on loan,” he told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS. “I worked like a dog and I’m here now. I lost my place in the team, I won it back, there were ups and downs, but it made the man and the goalkeeper that I am today and allowed me to keep growing.”
PSG’s coach Thomas Tuchel has shown great confidence in Areola since his appointment – despite the arrival of one of the game’s greatest ever goalkeepers in the French capital. Buffon’s presence has been nothing but positive for the French international.
Watch: Areola started – and kept a clean sheet in – PSG’S last Ligue 1 Conforama outing, against OGC Nice
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“The coach and I spoke before I left for the World Cup. Gigi hadn’t signed yet and the coach told me that I was starting in pole position, but nothing was set in stone because you never know what can happen during the season, but that it was up to me to keep doing what I was doing, keep playing well and keep deserving to have this position.
Collective decision
“Then Gigi signed and we all sat down, the coach, Gigi, Gianluca [Spinelli], the goalkeeping coach, and me. We settled on a sort of turnover that allowed both me and Gigi to play and both help the team perform well.”
“The competition for places is very healthy between us. Gigi brings all his experience to the table. He’s a legend, I’m not embarrassed to say it, because I really believe it. He’s one of my idols and it’s a great honour to train with him.”
Areola had already met the man he regards as one of his heroes in the summer of 2017, when PSG met Juventus during the international Champions Cup in Florida.
Areola and Buffon have developed a friendship despite competing for the same place
“It was on the pre-season tour in Miami, the first time I played against him,” Areola explained. “We were able to have a quick chat and I grabbed the chance to get a photo with him. He’s also here to push me to give my best and improve as well and it’s up to me to keep learning and progressing and with him next to me it’s even better.
‘Going well’
“For the moment it’s going well and I hope it continues to go well and the team keep playing well and goes a long way, whether with me or Gigi in goal. Gigi and I both have the same aim: help the team go as high as possible and play as well as possible every match.”
The Parisian goalkeepers know that whoever the opposition, a goal against them is a trophy in itself for attackers, and that won’t be any different against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.
“We know that whether it’s Lyon or another team, when they’re playing us, they give their absolute best, they come here to knock us off. For them, it’s the match of the year. We know that they’re coming here to kill us. That’s the word for it.”
>> PLAYER PROFILE: Alphonse Areola
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