The policy of small steps. Slowly but surely, the European champion sees qualification for the next round of the Champions League despite his draw conceded this Wednesday evening in Bilbao (0-0), the first of his season on the European scene. The horizon of the round of 16 is not yet very close, with two matches remaining (Sporting Portugal in Lisbon, on January 20 and Newcastle at the Parc, on the 28th), but this point from the draw reported from the furnace of San Mamés brings PSG closer to a place in the top 8 synonymous with 8th and a goal so difficult to achieve during the previous campaign. After five days, he is in third place in the standings with 13 points on the clock.
In the bowels of the Athletic Bilbao stadium, Luis Enrique’s men had difficulty masking their bitterness, aware of not having been sharp enough to ensure, at the very least, qualification for the play-offs.
“There is a little frustration and that is normal, because we are a team that likes to win,” breathes Nuno Mendes. We are frustrated with the way we played, we could have controlled the match better. We weren’t at our level but it was a high intensity match. You never know what might happen next. In two matches everything can change! I think we will have to be at our best to succeed in winning the next match and getting closer to qualification. »
Three points difference with the 15th
The left-back has a good memory and knows better than anyone that the scenario of this phase of the 36-team league can change at any time. Even more so during this season where only three points separate Paris, on the third step of the podium, from FC Barcelona, 15th. Marquinhos’ partners therefore hope to take shelter as quickly as possible so as not to burden their schedule.
“For the Parisians, it is undoubtedly the priority to qualify directly in the 8th because it takes away two games and a little fatigue,” notes former PSG midfielder Peter Luccin. But they’re not going to bang their heads on the walls if they can’t do it. And if it’s a question of opponent and more favorable table, Paris can face any opponent, there is no problem. »
Optimism is in any case. With thirteen points, PSG already has its total from last season, the one which allowed it to compete in the play-offs against Brest before arriving to launch towards the rest of the competition. “We will have to take a lot of points until the end. I think we have to win at least one more match,” the coach predicts. We could add: and not lose the other. With four more points, against Sporting in Lisbon then against Newcastle at home, PSG should secure the top 8.
“We are better than last season”
But it would be much clearer with two successes in the last two meetings. Not only from an accounting point of view but to maintain a dynamic like last season. Even if in the event of direct qualification, Paris would spend more than a month without the Champions League, with all of February to think about what comes next. Above all, the Asturian’s conviction comes from good news, with the return of offensive players to competition.
If PSG accumulates problems behind with the new injury of Marquinhos (adductor), after that of Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo, Ousmane Dembélé returned to the scene just like Désiré Doué, this Wednesday in Bilbao. It’s hard to imagine the same score with the last two present on the San Mamés pitch from the start. Or to spend another 90 minutes in the Champions League on January 20 in Lisbon without scoring.
Moreover, despite its 0-0, Paris still has the best attack in the C1 (tied with Dortmund). “After this very special start to the season, I am very motivated to get all the players back after Christmas,” says the Spanish coach. But I’m very happy with what I’ve seen over the last few months. As a team we are better than last season. »
Here he hammers home in public the mantra developed internally. Which consists of congratulating ourselves – rightly – for having more than limited the damage during the defections of half of the starters if we count the long injuries of Dembélé, Doué, Marquinhos, Neves, Ruiz, Hakimi plus a few glitches here and there for others. And to think that with the return of the executives, Paris will become itself again. That is to say hellish for his opponents.
Worth a look
