The neighbors’ party is back, for its second edition, after another party, between rivals, much more memorable and stunning than the first opus of the Parisian derby won just a week ago against the PFC (2-1). Rivalries cannot be invented and arise at the heart of these heated confrontations made up of arguments or crazy scenarios.
There were both on Thursday in Kuwait, where PSG was responsible for disgusting their best French enemy, Olympique de Marseille, during an exciting Champions Trophy. 2026 has only just started, but it is obvious that Gonçalo Ramos’ equalizing goal in added time and Lucas Chevalier’s two saves during the penalty shootout will undoubtedly be classified among the “highlights” of the year by Parisian supporters.
The episode will in any case have made it possible to confirm that the clasico was not a match like any other, which is not yet the symbolic duel against Paris FC, relieved for the moment of any antagonism. The 16th final of the Coupe de France played Monday evening at the Parc des Princes (9:10 p.m.) against Kevin Trapp’s partners nevertheless takes on a decisive character at the heart of the start of the year, a period where everything had changed for PSG last season.
Luis Enrique’s men then laid the foundations for a second legendary game. The Asturian knows it, the race for trophies is only just beginning and he is not yet obsessed with it, even if the current sequence should initiate the idea of a rise in power after two last meetings which were not completely successful in the game.
“It’s a time when you have to show your level for the important Champions League and L 1 matches,” recognizes the Parisian coach. We spoke with the team: what do we want for this season? Let us enjoy the journey and not think about the trophies. When you stay focused on the path and you’re happy to go to every workout, that’s the key: you have to be focused on the present. »
“It will be a special match, like a final”
Failing to be unplayable and to be on point, both technically and physically, the capital club proved that the word resilience was still part of its vocabulary in 2026. A refusal of defeat embodied by the best pyrotechnician Gonçalo Ramos (10 goals), cited as an example by his coach at a press conference, who will try to demonstrate his sense of goal before added time.
Given the injuries and absences, the Parisian staff do not have a huge margin of maneuver to rotate their team and they would like to avoid another suspenseful end to the match which would end on penalties in the event of a tie in added time.
The balance of power, the dynamic results and the history of the club in this competition – PSG has not lost at the Parc in the Coupe de France since January 31, 2022 – inevitably lean in its favor. Suspicious but determined, the European champions therefore intend to confirm their regional supremacy.
“It’s more positive to play every four days than every ten days. In this sense, we have an advantage, believes Luis Enrique. We stay focused because we like the Coupe de France which is a different competition. It will be a special match, like a final. » In this case, Paris knows the winning recipe.
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