The countdown has started. In less than a week, next Tuesday to be precise, Paris Saint-Germain will challenge Borussia Dortmund, at Signal Iduna Park, in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Return match on March 11. Before that, two matches on the menu, two trips: Amiens on Saturday (5:30 p.m.), during the 25th day of Ligue 1, but first Dijon on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., live commentary), in the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France. “We are the first to absolutely want to win. And we will do everything, says Thomas Tuchel, about the double confrontation against his former club. We talk a lot about this thing today, but tomorrow (this Wednesday) is Dijon, the Coupe de France, and we have to focus on it. ”But not only. Obviously, the Parisians and their coach aim to rally the last four of the Coupe de France, where they would also join Rennes, who fell from Belfort (0-3). But the justice of the peace for this PSG is the C1 and nothing else.
Verratti and Kimpembe join the infirmary
Besides, the German technician admits to thinking of the eleven he will line up on the meadow of the former Westfalenstadion. In fact, he even planned to divide the playing times in Dijon and Amiens according to Dortmund, with the bulk of the incumbents at the front this Wednesday in Burgundy and ... the others on Saturday, in Picardy. "Frankly, that was the plan before Lyon," he says. Except that all those absent who were to return against OL last Sunday (4-2 victory) were ultimately not available, like Neymar Jr, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Juan Bernat. Worse, others have invited themselves to the infirmary in the meantime, such as Marco Verratti and Presnel Kimpembe. "Nothing too serious, but it's too early" for Dijon, says Tuchel, referring to "a blow" for the Italian, "sure" to be fit for Dortmund. And "Presko"? According to various sources, muscle concern. The titi will now fight against the clock. Good news ? Thiago Silva resumes this Wednesday. A priori, Bernat, out for a month and sick in recent days, will play too. Not Neymar, package for the third time in a row according to several media. “We always have to adapt. If we have the possibility, we will avoid playing twice 90 minutes for the players I have in mind for Dortmund, ”said the Bavarian technician.
» READ ALSO - Tuchel on the« negativity »around the PSG:« It is also our fault »
To see if the Parisian staff has the leisure to put their plans into practice in this matter. Because Idrissa Gueye and Leo Paredes are not on the trip to Dijon either. Simple precaution, a priori. “I had a plan in my head, but it doesn't exist (laughs). It's always like that. We must be attentive and adapt, notes, fatalist, Thomas Tuchel. But it is clear that we want to arrive in Dortmund with a strong group and a fresh head, this is the most important. ”All while juggling with the risks of injury of some, and the need for rhythm of the others. Unstable balance.
Amiens objective for Neymar Jr and Marquinhos
"We are talking to the doctors. We have physical tests. We analyze the results. We have the feeling of the players. And we decide afterwards ”, explains“ Herr Tuchel ”, who wants to be the most careful in the world with the essential Marquinhos for example. "You know that I never want to play without Marqui, never. He's a super important player, a key player for us. Maybe he has to play, whether he's ready or not, ”he slips. And Neymar Jr, who was in sparkling form before his injury to the odds against Montpellier (5-0)? “It's only a question of risk management, nothing else. He has another possibility to play, in Amiens. He is a little injured. We must be patient and attentive with him, "promises the Parisian coach, well aware that his players are best placed to make people forget the ambient" negativity "of which Leonardo spoke on Sunday, after the two-time victory against OL. "We can say that it is also our fault," he smiles, recalling that PSG has given the stick by lowering the flag against Barcelona, Madrid and Manchester in recent years, in the knockout stages of the "Champions'" . "Besides, the first leg was never a problem in this whole period (laughs)," he jokes. Not wrong, it's back when it sins.
» READ ALSO - The muscular exit of Leonardo on the“ negativity ”around the PSG
In summary, Paris Saint-Germain, which remains in 21 games without defeat (19 wins, 2 draws) since its setback ... in Dijon early November (2-1), in the league, will first aim to get out of this week last week before the C1 in working order for Dortmund, putting its injured patients on their feet, reviving the ghosts and avoiding new glitches. Chick? But the requirement for results is there, always, and it will be necessary to leave Gaston-Gérard with a ticket for the half. If possible without a new psychodrama, as with a new Tuchel-Mbappé hanging in a public place, at random. “I expect a very physical match, with many long balls and duels for the second balls, many centers, imagine the former coach of Mainz. Dijon have only lost two home games. Tomorrow (this Wednesday), we have 120 minutes to win. We want to win. I expect a tough away game. "Not too much anyway ...
Saving Private Icardi
After scoring goal after goal, Mauro Icardi marks… the pace. A "pawn" on his last eight matches. And services with an unfinished flavor, against a background of lack of confidence. “With the attackers, it's always the same thing. The only thing that helps is to score goals, reaffirms Thomas Tuchel. We can talk, show videos, talk about defensive or tactical aspects in which it is very important to us. But really, for a number 9 like Mauro, Edinson Cavani or Kylian Mbappé, the most important thing is that they score. It gives confidence. There is nothing else to do. ”If he is one step ahead of his main rival, Edinson Cavani, scorer on Sunday, the Argentinian international has every interest in finding the right path quickly. Paris is entering the decisive phase of its season, with the return of the Champions League in less than a week ... "He has experience," continues Tuchel. He knows that there are a little more complicated phases in a season. And that's the case right now. But I am convinced that he will not stop working, trying. And everyone will push him, help him, to make things easier. ”Landed in Paris last summer from Inter as part of a loan with option to buy, Mauro Icardi, 26, has scored 18 goals in 27 games since the start of the season, including 17 in his first 19 games in Red and Blue.
Read also
- Coupe de France: calendar and results