As we meet ... A little more than two months after their resounding victory in the semi-finals of the Champions League (3-0), in Lisbon, the Parisians are again opposed to Leipzig this Wednesday (9 p.m.), during the third day of the group stage.
“It will be totally different, warns Thomas Tuchel.
We showed our quality and our experience in Portugal, it was a very strong game, we controlled the rhythm and the game.
I think Leipzig will defend higher, play more freely. "
This is exactly what Julian Nagelsmann expects, the coach of the Red Bulls not putting the rout of his players in Final 8 on the account of tactical problems.
“It's also an attitude in duels, a conviction,” he analyzes.
We do not have to hide, if we are having a good day, we are also able to perform well against teams of the highest European level. ”
The spirit of revenge could also be a spring for the Leipzig players.
“It hurt us,” said former Parisian Christopher Nkunku, thinking about this half (almost) one-sided in Portugal.
The Parisian infirmary is (still) full
Except this time, PSG is largely reduced in Germany, including the packages of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
“I think there is no good time to face these teams.
We must approach the match as if there were Neymar and Kylian, ”swears Nkunku.
We don't have to believe it… Moreover, Nagelsmann modestly acknowledges that their absence “is not a disadvantage”.
Leipzig also has its problems, especially behind (Klostermann out, Mukiele and Halstenberg uncertain).
But not as much as PSG (Icardi, Verratti, Bernat, Draxler).
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“We are without several key players.
We will try to play a game without these guys, as a team, to make a little more effort as a team, more mentality as a team, launches Tuchel.
It's up to us to show that we are capable of fighting together, we will have to give even more effort as a team. ”
A bit like against Real Madrid, at the start of last season, with a 3-0 victory without Neymar, Mbappé or Edinson Cavani, and a (very) successful collective performance.
One thing is certain: PSG will have to reinvent itself to achieve a result at the RB Arena, facing third in the Bundesliga, and "find other solutions" without its technical leaders, "play more directly, in another way.
But we will give everything and I expect a very strong team from Leipzig, very direct, very physical, very aggressive in our camp.
If we can not control the pace like in Lisbon, there are other solutions to win a match, "says coach Tuchel, acknowledging that his team could suffer more than usual.
“If it's like that, we have to accept it, that might be the key,” he says.
But maybe we'll be strong with the ball. ”
"Our goal is to win this match and the group"
Thilo Kehrer
In the meantime, there is no question of arriving in Germany with low-cost ambitions for Paris.
“We always want to win, insists Thilo Kehrer.
We don't come here saying we would be happy with a draw.
Our goal is to win this game and the group.
We are here to win.
It's our job and we want to do it (this Wednesday). ”
One thing is certain: this double confrontation against Leipzig resonates "like a round of 16" for Tuchel and his players, while both teams have suffered the law of Manchester United in this group.
"I see these two matches against Paris as a knockout duel", abounds Nagelsmann, who aims "four points against Paris to keep our destiny in our hands".
Charge to PSG, around an unprecedented attacking trio Sarabia-Kean-Di Maria, to create the surprise and bring something back from this high-risk trip to Germany.
Or at least not to mortgage his chances before the return match at Parc des Princes on November 24.
“We are a collective and a strong group,” says Kehrer.
There are quality players.
All the players who are there have qualities, which is why they are there and why we are PSG.
We want to show it, have a good game and show a good collective performance. ”
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