Winter is already in its firmament. The double confrontation of the 8th finals of the Champions League has become for three years and with his body defending the acme of the seasons of PSG. The fault of too strong opponents or too weak a team. Sometimes tactically, often psychologically. Thomas Tuchel obviously wants to sweep away the terrors of the past and project himself on this first act against Dortmund with the freshness of a team sure of its strength and free of all negative thoughts.
"If you lose three times in a row, the fourth time is not necessarily the same. But each year has its history, slips Thomas Tuchel. We don't want to lose, but we have to accept defeats to grow. We don't prepare a match like that in the last two days, it's been preparing for weeks, months. The team has shown in recent weeks that it is ready. "
Bayern already on the lookout to recover Tuchel
When he was coach of Mainz, the German technician always broke his teeth at Signal Iduna Park (three defeats and two draws) where he then directed for two seasons the Borussia Dortmund. It was in the Ruhr that he acquired his hard-working, modern and charismatic stripes. Qualities that enabled him to join Paris in 2018 but that will not be enough forever to give him the confidence of his leaders.
The German technician, who is not Leonardo's choice, back in business since this summer, is not yet a man of the past but already has some liabilities. That of not having avoided the rout against Manchester United (1-3) in the return match last year. A colossal fiasco which did not prevent him from extending his contract a few weeks later. A commitment until 2021 which would be difficult to honor in the event of further disillusionment.
In the shadows, Bayern Munich is also on the lookout to recover the German coach. At the helm of the most consistent and balanced team that PSG has known since 2011, Tuchel has the cards in hand, however. And joker-like players. Because it would be a shame not to make the main officials responsible.
Thiago Silva, one last campaign and then goes away?
First, Thiago Silva. The Brazilian is the captain of all recent conquests as well as of all shipwrecks. At 35, the central defender is fighting to convince his superiors to extend his adventure and let him live a ninth season in Paris when his lease expires in June. After convincing first months, his very difficult return to Amiens on Saturday (4-4) confirmed that he no longer embodied the future. At least in the medium term.
Like Edinson Cavani, whose club blocked the start for Atlético de Madrid this winter, Thiago Silva is a grumpy man leaving for an ultimate big campaign. And it is not even certain that a final in apotheosis on May 30 in Istanbul will be enough to change the position of its leaders. In a club where everything is read and decided by the yardstick of the Champions League, the whole future of the club will be written in these hot evenings of the middle of the week.
PSG Express
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For Neymar, who can prick himself from a new desire at any time, as for Kylian Mbappé that Paris dreams of installing as the new bridgehead of the Parisian project. Involved in 19 goals in 21 European matches with Paris, the world champion is decisive every 67 minutes on average, more than any other player in the squad in this competition. But not sure that this is enough for its hunger for titles if Paris persists in not seeing the European spring. So gentlemen, it's up to you!