Dortmund is already Sunday. So certainly, we have noticed that it is indeed Bordeaux that arrives at 9 pm at the Parc des Princes. But for Thomas Tuchel and the Parisian players, the time is already at the dress rehearsal seventeen days from the reception of Borussia.
While he scheduled a morning session Sunday at 11 am to notably work tactically, the Parisian coach made no secret of the fact that preparation for the Champions League return match had started. And did not conceal the fact that with the suspension of Thomas Meunier and the injury of Colin Dagba, it would be Thilo Kehrer who would evolve to the right of the defense against his compatriots. A position he has not held for over a year and success in Manchester in the knockout stages of the Champions League (0-2). The German therefore has four games (Bordeaux, Dijon, Lyon, Strasbourg) to find his bearings and his form after having started only nine games this season.
For the rest of the group, it's about forgetting the porridge observed Tuesday in the Ruhr area and finally playing a real cleaver match. “We are very aware of what we have done. There was frustration with the result but we know our strengths especially at the Park, explains Marquinhos. We must arrive at this match with a good frame of mind, at the best of our form and qualify. We have the confidence of knowing that we can do it ”.
Decree sacred union ... only on the ground
For two weeks, the tactical orientations of Thomas Tuchel will also be observed under the microscope after the questionable choice of 3-4-3 aligned in Dortmund. The Parisian technician could therefore come back against the Girondins in the very efficient 4-4-2 since the fall, especially at the Parc des Princes. At the time of the assessment, Tuchel believes that the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park partly explains the underperformance of his players and that the return to the stadium at Porte d'Auteuil promises a completely different encounter.
“The energy in the stadium there, the atmosphere and the context, you can only feel it on the ground. It creates a team that plays more aggressively and courageously. We didn't have the same determination as Dortmund, Tuchel analyzes. But I feel like my guys are very, very competitive. Especially if they are in an uncomfortable situation. When things happen after a loss, they are more competitive than other players. They want to show and it is exactly the state of mind that we need. We had a similar match last season at Anfield against Liverpool (3-2, in the group stage). But we showed a reaction here (2-1 win at the Park). We are in the same situation. We need the same reaction. ”
This help from the public, Thiago Silva's teammates will also need it on March 11. But they will be able to measure against Bordeaux the traces left with their supporters by this strange week. Between European disillusionment and the very discreet birthday party of Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi two days later, the patience of PSG fans has dangerously approached certain limits. When launching Operation Dortmund, it would be fashionable to declare the sacred union. And display it, only in the field.
