Who better than Pedro Miguel Pauleta could evoke the chances of his club of heart in this final tournament of the Champions League, at home, in Portugal? Third top scorer in the history of PSG (109 goals in 211 games from 2003 to 2008), “the Eagle of the Azores” tells us exclusively about his hopes for a first European star for Paris. Which would fall in the year of the club's 50th anniversary, a nod to the history that Pauleta, ambassador of PSG, considers useful for the players: "They must think about it and use it to reach the semi-final" .
Seeing PSG play this Final 8 at home in Portugal, is it an event?
PEDRO MIGUEL PAULETA. Yes, that's something important to us here in Portugal. Hosting the Champions League and the best teams in Europe, even in a different format, is a huge satisfaction for us.
Are PSG one of these “best teams”?
It's a certainty. Paris has one of the best squads, capable of beating anyone. This is a great opportunity for the club, its supporters. I have a lot of confidence in imagining Paris going far in this competition.
Does the format, on a single match, favor the Parisians?
It depends on the opponent. Against Atalanta, I think a round-trip confrontation would have been more advantageous for PSG. If we are talking about a match against Barcelona or Bayern Munich, I think so, it's better for Paris. One thing is certain: this year's format offers a great opportunity for clubs that have never won this Champions League.
You always said that Paris would get there eventually. Is it really the year or never?
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I repeat, the opportunity is immense. With the quality of the players present, the dynamics, everything is really possible. I believe that Paris should take advantage of this chance.
Despite the packages, like Marco Verratti, and the players who left like Cavani or Meunier?
We must stop talking about absentees and focus on available players. Really. It brings something negative around the club. We all know the qualities of Verratti, Mbappé, Neymar… It is not worth talking about the absent every day. They will be present alongside the team to bring that positive mentality to winning matches and competitions. Talking about the injury of the coach, Verratti, Mbappé… It's the same for all the big clubs. There are absentees in Madrid and Barcelona. The most important thing is the club, in search of this competition.
A message that Leonardo has been trying to spread since his return ...
Every year, for ten years, as soon as the final phase arrives, I hear these conversations about absent, injured players. We only talk about that and more about the team. PSG is one of the great teams in Europe. The most important thing is Paris Saint-Germain (he insists on pronunciation), which are in a good position to win.
That the 50th anniversary date falls on the day of the quarter-final, is that a nice nod?
The club is living an important moment, a significant date. The club is young but already has a great history. Players should think about this anniversary and use it to reach a semi-final.
So it is not a handicap to be "only" 50 years old against centenary clubs?
All the clubs that won the first time had no history in the competition. It's the same for PSG, which has never won this Champions League. But, one day, Paris will win it and be one of the winners. I always take the example of Chelsea, winner (Editor's note: 2012) the year in which the team made the least investment in the transfer window. The same can happen with PSG. I believe in it a lot this season.