Find out what caught the attention of our journalist at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, during the draw between Paris and Newcastle (1-1).
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An almost perfect start to the match
Yes, PSG dominated the debates on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. Yes, PSG would undoubtedly have “deserved to win”, as Luis Enrique said. But it was not a great PSG against Newcastle (1-1), during the eighth day of C1. And certainly not a PSG which could claim to do the double in the Champions League. Not under these conditions. Not by being equally ineffective on both surfaces. The Magpies played their game and didn’t steal anything. It is therefore very complicated to find favorites to highlight…
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We can nevertheless note that Paris Saint-Germain made a high-flying start. Constant pressure, a penalty caused (and missed by Dembélé), Vitinha’s goal, Newcastle stifled, depth, desire…Recently criticized by their coach in terms of intensity and starting matches with their feet on the ground, the Rouge et Bleu responded this time. Unfortunately, it only lasted about twenty minutes… Good news? “The road is still long», swore «I fight».
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PSG’s notes against Newcastle: Dembélé clumsy, Gifted upside down, Zaire-Emery strong, Vitinha tried
Zaire-Emery on its way
After brilliantly filling in on the right in the absence of Achraf Hakimi, who started on Wednesday evening, Warren Zaire-Emery took advantage of Fabián Ruiz’s withdrawal to start in the middle. And he continued his momentum of the last few weeks, very good therefore. “We saw a very high level right-back, Warren, incredible. To show this level, you have to be a very special player, a special person too. This is his casesaid Luis Enrique on the eve of PSG-Newcastle. He’s a different player with an incredible personality. It’s very nice to have a player of this level. He can play on the side, in the middle, everywhere. It’s positive for him and for me», added the 55-year-old Spanish technician. Clearly, “WZE” has again become a real option to appear in the Parisian 11. Nine balls recovered and three interceptions Wednesday evening.
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PSG-Newcastle: “If there is a team ready for the play-offs and the qualifiers, it’s us” assures Luis Enrique
An optimism that commands admiration
Au Figarowe like panache. And Luis Enrique has no shortage of them. Anthology of his most optimistic statements at a press conference. “If there’s a team ready for the play-offs and playoffs, it’s us. It’s clear”he first said, still agreeing that PSG must “to improve. The positive thing is that when you always play against top teams, you are ready for the play-offs and the following matches if you deserve to advance.he continued. And the best for last: “I don’t see anyone other than us as favorite, no one“. Words are good. Actions are better. Response in the play-off, against Monaco or Qarabag. First leg match on February 17 or 18, away. Return matches, February 24 or 25, at the Park.
CLAW STRIKES
A mess
The Top 8 extended its arms to the Parisians, who had taken nine points out of nine in their first three matches. They could have benefited from a lighter month of February and could thus have rested their bodies, worked, and recharged their batteries. It won’t happen. Having only taken two small points in his last three outings in C1, the European champion, 11th in the ranking, will have to go through the play-offs, like last season. And it will perhaps still be against a Ligue 1 club, Monaco or Qarabag. Draw Friday, starting at noon. Last year, it was against Brest (3-0, 7-0).
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Luis Enrique was not convinced that the prospect of going directly to the eighth was ideal. He said it several times. “I would sign for a draw or a defeat if we win the Champions League“, he explained again on Tuesday. The Asturias coach and his players just have to do it. But the road will be longer than expected. And that’s not good news…
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PSG-Newcastle: hard blow for Paris, Kvaratskhelia writhes in pain and leaves with an injury
“Kavara” in the infirmary, one more glitch…
This is the other bad news of the evening for the Parisians, the injury exit of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Hit in an ankle, the Georgian had to be supported to leave the field when he was replaced in the 23rd minute. The Rouge et Bleu can only hope that this problem is not as serious as that of Achraf Hakimi, who also injured his ankle in early November. Luis Enrique, however, was not confident on Wednesday. “It’s complicated… But I hope I’m wrong and that we’ll have good news tomorrow (Thursday) anyway“, he whispered. One thing is certain: Paris Saint-Germain is definitely not perfect when it comes to injuries.
Gifted is not there yet
“It is obvious that there have been players for whom it is difficult to reach their best level, but that is understandable.” When saying these words, Luis Enrique was undoubtedly thinking a little of Achraf Hakimi, who has just returned from the CAN, Ousmane Dembélé, clumsy in front of goal on Wednesday, but also and above all of Désiré Doué. Injured twice at the start of the season, the Golden Boy 2025 played backwards on Wednesday. Moreover, “Lucho” preferred Bradley Barcola at kick-off. If he came on in the 23rd, it was only because of “Kvara’s” injury. Chance or coincidence, this forced change coincided with PSG’s downturn, after a strong start to the match.
Still, the ex-Rennais shone through his bad choices, his lack of inspiration and a propensity to slow down the game. Quite the opposite of the flamboyant, electrifying and fresh Désiré Doué of last season. As his coach says, “it’s understandable“. However, it is time to react and move on. On the right in attack, Luis Enrique doesn’t have many options…
Damn penalties
This is the Parisian paradox of the season. Under Luis Enrique, PSG have NEVER lost a penalty shootout. And yet, the Parisians have only had a little over 60% success in taking the penalty since the start of the season. Five times the ball ended up in the back of the net (Dembélé x3, Vitinha, Ramos). On three occasions, the Rouge et Bleu failed (Dembélé x2, Barcola). A real weakness for the Champions League holder this season.
