Midfielder insists the 2019-20 season has been a success for the French champions regardless of whether they raise the continental award
Ander Herrera says it “wouldn’t be a failure” for Paris Saint-Germain if they didn’t win the Champions League this month.
PSG is on the verge of winning the elite European competition for the first time in its history, having earned a place in the semi-finals for the first time since 1995.
Thomas Tuchel’s men beat Atalanta dramatically mid-week to set a last four draw against RB Leipzig, who pulled off the round result so far by eliminating Atletico Madrid.
The Ligue 1 champions rode their luck to overcome Italian opposition at the Estadio da Luz, with injury time goals from Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting canceling Mario Pasalic’s first half.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe led PSG’s charge in the second half to complete a stunning turnaround, and are now seen as strong favorites to reach the key event on 23 August.
However, Herrera says success in Europe will not define the club’s season as they have already got their hands on all four domestic trophies on offer in France.
The 31-year-old midfielder said in a pre-match press conference: “If we didn’t win the Champions it wouldn’t be a failure. It would be a failure for ten teams then. We have already done a fantastic job at national level with four titles won this season.
“But it is true that Leipzig, or Lyon for example, perhaps they did not expect to be here. We have the qualities and skills to win the semi-final, but we must know that they will play free, without the pressure of winning the game. They will be a lot. dangerous for us “.
Pressed further on the challenge that Leipzig will propose on Tuesday at PSG, Herrera replied: “They are a very offensive team and very brave. They don’t have the pressure of having to win the Champions League or play the final. It could be more dangerous. diagram with the ball and another without.
“We will have to prepare well for this match because he will play more freely, with less pressure. The fact that they are offensive can be a good thing for us because our forwards can increase the speed, but we will also have to defend well. Because they can create a lot of possibilities.”
The Spanish international added on how Tuchel will organize his team to achieve a positive result against the Bundesliga: “This season we have played in different systems, with three central defenders, in 4-4-2 or 4-3- 3. We have a lot of good players and possibilities.
“He is not alone [Angel] Of Maria. Mbappe seems ready to help, Neymar too, Pablo Sarabia is reliable. He gives assists, scores goals. We are very respectful towards Leipzig, but we are confident because we have many players who can play and change the course of a match. “
Herrera was also asked to rate Bayern Munich’s stunning 8-2 win over Barcelona in the quarter-finals, but he refused to shift focus from PSG’s current task.
“We were all impressed with the result,” he said. “It is the first time in history that something like this has happened in the quarter-finals, but we prefer to be aware of Leipzig. Our goal is Leipzig.
“The most important thing is to prepare this match against a team that played very well against Atletico Madrid. We saw a team with a lot of confidence. Leipzig also impressed me.
“We have to be very respectful of this team and prepare for the match in the best possible way.”
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