DECRYPTION – Masters of their destiny, the Parisians have no other option than victory this Tuesday, against Newcastle.
«The Champions League is not an obsession“. Signed Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. Not an obsession, but a hard drug. And the lack would be difficult to overcome… PSG remains on 11 consecutive accessions in the round of 16 of C1. And Luis Enrique’s players have every interest in winning against Newcastle this Tuesday (9 p.m., Canal+ et RMC Sport 1), at the Parc des Princes, to extend the series. In the event of a victory and if Milan do not beat Dortmund at the same time, the French champions would qualify before their trip to Germany on December 13. “We are going to play this match like a final», insists Luis Enrique, giving it importance “crucial».
It will obviously not be easy, even if the Magpies, last in the group with only one victory, are drowning in injuries (Botman, Longstaff, Wilson, Burn, Barnes), not to mention the suspension of Sandro Tonali (illegal bets), and that they travel relatively poorly (2 victories in 9 matches). The card against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea (4-1) on Saturday? A signal sent to Parisians. Although, the latter did not need a booster shot, they who had had their cup at St-James’ Park at the beginning of October (4-1)… Their worst performance this season, except… in the eyes of Luis Enrique.
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We are going to play this match like a final.
Luis Enrique
Good news ? Despite the withdrawals of Marquinhos and Warren Zaire-Emery, injured during the recent international break, PSG arrives launched against the Toons. “We are more than ready for Tuesday’s match», affirmed Vitinha after the show of force against Monaco (5-2) on Friday. “The best way to prepare for a crucial Champions League match is always to win. And winning like this is even better», savored Luis Enrique. A big victory against a direct competitor, with style as a bonus, and first place in the standings, without injuries, is indeed the ideal.
Since the defeat at Newcastle, Paris has had seven victories in eight matches. Seven successes with always at least three goals scored. The Luis Enrique method is bearing fruit, even if everything is not perfect, like the defeat in Milan (2-1) or the victory (much) more difficult than the final score suggests in Reims ( 0-3), for example. The 49-year-old Asturian technician in any case has the powers his predecessors dreamed of in terms of management. The day and the night. “We are still far from what I hope for but there are things that I like, a willingness of the players to do what I ask of them», he savors, rejoicing also that his flock “want to appropriate all the concepts that are submitted to them“. However, he was not born last year and knows well that his job would become much harder if he went off the track in C1. This is why PSG-Newcastle is so important. “We are going to play this match like a final“, he summarizes.
Positive attitude
But contrary to what might have happened in recent years, it is more excitement that takes precedence over the fear of heights. Positive attitude. It’s up to Mbappé and company to bring the Park into the euphoria of big European evenings. One thing is certain: the walls of the Porte de Saint-Cloud will only be waiting to burst into flames. We can expect a fiery atmosphere. So to speak, because at the next massive cracking of smoke bombs, UEFA will lift the suspension and close the Auteuil stand for a match… “New era”, would say “NAK”. This is also the meaning of the club’s communication (see below).
It’s up to Kylian Mbappé and company to bring the Park into the euphoria of big European evenings. The walls of the Porte de Saint-Cloud will only be waiting to burst into flames. Fiery atmosphere guaranteed. So to speak, because at the next massive cracking of smoke bombs, UEFA will close the Auteuil stand for a match… “Home matches are decisive at this level. For us, the public is a special asset. We will need an even more powerful Parc des Princes“, demands Luis Enrique, noting the “important connection between the stadium and the players“. The 12th man will have to assume his role. “I hope the Park will be a hot stadium», he adds.
We will suffer at times, we know it.
Luis Enrique
«We are still waiting for big support», agrees Ousmane Dembélé, also author of his first Parisian goal, finally, against Monaco. “The most unbalancing player worldwide,” promises Luis Enrique, more seduced than ever. In any case, the 26-year-old French international does not want to take out the calculator or get scared in mid-December in Germany: “We will have to win the next two matches in the Champions League“, he asserts. It would indeed be simpler, and Paris would come out of the group in the lead. “I am sure that my team is ready to play, to be competitive», notes “Lucho”, knowing well that PSG “will suffer at times“. We can only hope that the Rouge et Bleu will suffer less than at St-James’ Park… That would be a good sign.
