Special envoy to Amiens
The road to Dortmund passed through Amiens for PSG. A PSG who had, a priori, not much to fear from the Picardy formation, 19 of Ligue 1. Even if several Parisian elements were missing, including Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Marquinhos and Marco Verratti? On the bench, spared because of return from injury. Ditto for Juan Bernat. Thomas Tuchel had however decided to share playing time: 45 minutes for Thiago Silva and Idrissa Gueye, also fresh out of the infirmary, and the tandem Marquinhos / Verratti. Thereupon, the plan was applied to the letter. Bernat was also able to stretch his legs. Last but not least, no injuries again. And that is perhaps the main lesson to be learned from this part.
For the rest, nothing really went as planned. Authors of an indigent first period, the Red and Blue passed very close to the correctional, led 3-0 on goals signed Guirassy, Kakuta and Diabaté. "In the first period, it was not the PSG that we know", summarizes Thiago Silva, pointing to "the state of mind". "We didn't start strong enough, disciplined enough, focused enough," adds Tuchel. With their heads already in Dortmund, the Parisians have above all sought ... not to injure themselves before the Champions League.
Coach Tuchel, returned to the locker room before the end of the first period and who missed the reduction of Ander Herrera's score, on a corner, however found the words to revive "his" Paris. Better than that: the two blows of the helmet by young Tanguy Kouassi and the opportunism of Mauro Icardi allowed the Parisians to lead 4-3. A ski lift before the C1? Not so fast. Despite several 5-3 balls, Guirassy pulled the game out. 4-4, final score. A good point for Amiens. And concern for PSG? "No. Why should we be worried? Do you think it will be the same match in Dortmund? I'm not worried, I trust, promises Tuchel, annoyed at the second question on the subject. You can't be worried after 30 difficult minutes. If you're not focused, it can happen. We made 23 games while being super focused (23 games unbeaten, note). I did not expect that and I am not happy. Not angry either. "
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Same story with the players, covered with "a lot of confidence", says Ander Herrera. In desperate lack of physical condition, Thiago Silva abounds. “First, there are players who will come back. And even if we played with the same team on Tuesday, the mood will be different. ” Will Neymar be among the ghosts? "He's fine," swears the Parisian captain. I'm sure he'll be there on Tuesday (smile). ” To see if number 10, out since February 1, will be able to start. Others may also lack rhythm. Thiago Silva, but also Bernat, Marquinhos - who made a good entry on Saturday - and Presnel Kimpembe, the latter not having made the trip to La Licorne. "It is also a question of rhythm and capacity, judge Tuchel, about the ghosts who could be brought to play, or even to begin Tuesday at Signal Iduna Park. They are different personalities, different characters. For some players it is possible and for others it is more difficult. We have to check everyone tomorrow (this Sunday) and decide. ”
READ ALSO - Tops and Flops after Amiens-PSG (4-4)
Among the positive points to be withdrawn from this crazy, crazy, crazy side of Paris, there are some, we will notably mention the double of the titi Kouassi, the (very) good entry into the game of Verratti, the revanchard mindset of the second period and also the three corner goals. “Honestly, we stopped talking about offensive set pieces and since then we have scored goals (laughs), laughs Tuchel. One more string to the Parisian arc.
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"Now you have to stay positive and know that Tuesday will be a different side match," says Thiago Silva. You have to be very careful, 110%, to play well there and try to bring back a good result. ” All without being afraid of the BVB fire attack. "No fear, but a lot of respect," says "O Monstro. If we are together, that we start as we usually do, I think we can make a good match. ” Besides, if this meeting against Amiens can and must be considered as an inconsequential epiphenomenon, with an air gap and a sufficiency as questionable as human before the Champions League, the defensive weaknesses of the German formation are well real. And they are not new ... "They can score a lot of goals," says Herrera. They can also take a lot ... We have a lot of fast players and their defensive line often plays high. We can take advantage of it. ” It will take.
Read also
- Thiago Silva: "The state of mind will be completely different in Dortmund"
