Three weeks before the return match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke has already launched hostilities. Renowned on the other side of the Rhine for his outspokenness and his regular provocations, the general manager of the German club slips from the outset that "the pressure on Paris will be enormous on March 11. Psychologically, we will have much less to lose, knowing that PSG was eliminated in incredible conditions last season against Manchester United, not to mention its trauma that dates back to Barcelona three years ago, recalls he. In the event of elimination, I have the impression that it is the sky which will collapse over Paris. "
Same story from Michael Zorc, its sports director who believes that Paris could have cashed "a larger defeat, as we were superior to him in all areas of play. We knew before this first round that PSG was currently gripable with a somewhat brittle defense. These first ninety minutes confirmed this to us. Parisians have rarely been dangerous and even if we can imagine a different physiognomy at the Parc des Princes, we are aware that if we score there, we will instill doubt in their minds, especially that they have a lot to lose, much more that we. "
"Apathetic", "without real desire", Oliver Bierhoff, the general manager of the German team, who was present Tuesday evening at Signal-Iduna-Park alongside the German coach Joachim Löw, had words quite similar to respect for Parisians. “They gave the feeling of evolving with the handbrake, when it was only the first leg. As if they feared being ridiculed and not being able to meet high expectations. "