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Bayern opponent Paris with concerns about the Champions League duel

Gut two weeks before the Champions League game against FC Bayern, there is also an alarm mood at French champions Paris Saint-Germain around world champion Lionel Messi. “From champagne to sparkling wine. Bigger doubts,” wrote the sports newspaper “L’Équipe” after the sobering performance of the star ensemble in the 1-1 draw against Stade Reims on Sunday evening. With four points from four games since the beginning of the year, PSG’s point average is just as inadequate as that of FC Bayern, who are visiting Parisian Prinzenpark for the round of 16 first leg on February 14.

“Luckily, Bayern are not in the best shape. But hoping that your opponent is in worse shape can’t be the best way to qualify for this competition.” With 48 points, PSG sit just three points ahead of RC Lens, who suffered a defeat at the start of the year. “That’s not enough when you’re PSG,” said coach Christophe Galtier, looking at the results of the last few games.

“As a coach, you can’t be happy with what’s happening. There will be decisions to be made,” added Galtier, wanting to get his stars out of their “comfort zone”. “I’ve got quality players who haven’t been able to reach that level since the beginning of the year.” Only the Brazilian Neymar scored for the interim lead. PSG still have four games before the duel with Bayern, including tricky away games at Olympique Marseille and AS Monaco.

It is possible that the capital club will still be active on the transfer market, in particular central defender Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan is under discussion. “There are restrictions on financial fair play. A coach likes to have reinforcements when there is a dismount. I don’t know if it’s going to happen,” Galtier said, also referring to Pablo Sarabia’s departure to Wolverhampton.

“Powder Keg Before Explosion”

Italy’s traditional clubs Juventus Turin and AC Milan are also in a deep crisis. On Sunday, record champions Juve lost 2-0 to Monza Calcio, the Serie A promoted team owned by Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. “Juve brought to their knees. The old lady has disappeared,” commented the Gazzetta dello Sport.

Milan is in a similar bad situation. The Italian champions went down 5-2 against US Sassuolo, 16th in the table. The Lombards received the second severe bankruptcy in a row. Last week they lost 4-0 to Lazio Roma. “Milan, this is how everything collapses! The club is a powder keg before the explosion, nerves are on edge. Coach Stefano Pioli is on the brink,” said Corriere dello Sport.

Only table leader SSC Napoli, who is heading for his first Scudetto since 1990, has reason to be happy. The Neapolitans celebrated a 2-1 win over José Mourinho’s AS Roma on Sunday night. The advantage over the pursuer Inter Milan is 13 points. “Naples can no longer be caught. AS Roma also had to capitulate to the team from Vesuvius after a great game,” wrote the Gazzetta.

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