French football is celebrating. In the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain and then Olympique Lyonnais both won their places for the long-awaited “Final 8” of the Champions League. First in line, Thomas Tuchel’s men will open the ball, Wednesday August 12, against Atalanta Bergamo (a match to be followed live on the Point site). Jérôme Rothen, consultant and sports commentator, will be one of the privileged witnesses of this competition new-look. He gives us his first impressions.
A new season, unique format. For the first time in the history of C1, the quarter-finals of the competition will be played in a dry match. According to Jérôme Rothen, initially reluctant to use this format, the challenge is proving to be “exciting”. “Anything can happen in Final 8. We have the impression that it levels the values of the clubs, since, in fact, it is very open for all participants. That’s the charm of football: in a match, incredible things can happen, ”adds the former French international. But the sports consultant tempers his enthusiasm: “For me, the Champions League is a two-way confrontation with sick matches. Last year, with the scenarios for the return matches, the twists and turns… we had a blast! This is the format I prefer. “
PSG, beware of the trap
During the draw for the “Final 8” of the Champions League, the Parisians inherited one of the best draws possible. First, because they will face Atalanta Bergamo. Faced with the reigning triple French champion, the Italian club will play the first quarter-final in its history. So far from the European ogre. Then, because the Parisian club finds itself in the best part of the table possible, avoiding Manchester City, Bayern Munich or FC Barcelona. If the course may seem affordable for the Parisian armada (Atalanta, then RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid in the semi-final), Thomas Tuchel’s men know it – with disillusionment in support – they will have to remain vigilant. The northern Italian club for example, although inexperienced at this stage of the competition, remains the best attack in calcio (the Italian league) this season with 98 goals.
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“The part of the table of PSG is totally trap”, warns Jérôme Rothen. “It would be a huge bullshit to see them already in the final. Especially since PSG, after three terrible disillusions experienced in recent years, can not afford to believe themselves favorite. They must be afraid of Atalanta Bergamo to be able to surpass themselves and achieve a real performance ”. Indeed, the goal of the club is clear: to finally lift the Cup with big ears. But, like every year, Paris Saint-Germain must deal with the curse of the injured.
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“Today, the PSG are still in the rough with injured or players who are not in the best state of form. But I prefer to see the positive. We have a Neymar Jr. at the best of his talent and with a very different mindset from the past. “Head of the gondola of the Parisian club, Neymar Jr., recruited in the summer of 2017 for 222 million euros, must finally shine at Paris Saint-Germain on the European scene. “He’s an incredible player. When he touches the ball, it’s fantastic. It is a sure bet. Will Neymar Jr. alone be able to take PSG to the C1 final? No ! But PSG need a great Neymar Jr. to win the Champions League. You win this competition with the great players, and Neymar Jr. is one of them. Paris must fight at all costs to keep him in the workforce. “
Lyon towards a new exploit?
By eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus Turin in the knockout stages of the Champions League (1-0, 2-1), Olympique Lyonnais sent a strong signal on the European scene. It will be necessary to count on Memphis Depay and others – capable of great matches against great teams – to conclude this 2019-2020 edition. “It’s a resounding feat for French football that OL have achieved,” said Jérôme Rothen with satisfaction. “Beating Juve is a first for a French club in the history of the European Cup. In view of the Lyon season as a whole and the difficulties experienced by the club, it is a real performance to be able to climb into the quarterfinals of C1. “
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But the consultant knows, the task promises to be particularly difficult for the men of Rudi Garcia, drowned among very large European teams. Les Gones will face Manchester City in the quarterfinals, before facing the winner of the confrontation between Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, in case of qualification for the last four. A particularly complicated part of the painting. “Bayern Munich are my favorite of this edition. They exude incredible collective strength, led by a talented coach, Hans-Dieter Flick. In attack, Robert Lewandoski is clearly above the fray. Otherwise, I think of Manchester City. But, in my opinion, Paris Saint-Germain is not yet in the category of favorites. However, in football, and in the Champions League in particular, as history has often proven, it is not always the favorite who wins.
RMC Sport, special device
From Wednesday, the Champions League will be to follow in full and exclusively on RMC Sport. For the occasion, the channel has set up a special system throughout the final phase. Every match night from 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. during French club matches) and until midnight, the broadcast Champions Zone presented by Jean-Baptiste Boursier with Emmanuel Petit, Laure Lepailleur, Daniel Riolo, Jean-Louis Tourre and the European football ambassadors, Fred Hermel (Spain), Johann Crochet (Italy), Julien Laurens (England) and Polo Breitner (Germany) will be found live on RMC Sport 1.
Two shocking duets will be commenting on the meetings: Jean Rességuié-Jérôme Rothen and Jérôme Sillon-Éric Di Meco. While at the edge of the field, we will find the indefatigable Mohamed Bouhafsi. Finally, three special UEFA Champions League broadcasts will also be broadcast live on RMC Sport 1 on Sunday 9, Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 August, the day before the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League final. Now it’s time for the competition!
