Three weeks is a long time. Very long when you are impatient at the idea of having a fight with Dortmund, in the knockout stages of the Champions League. After their defeat at Westfalenstadion Tuesday (2-1), the players of Thomas Tuchel must nevertheless wait until March 11 to hear the anthem of the C1 again. Until then, four games on the menu. Three in Ligue 1, including the reception of Bordeaux this Sunday (9 p.m., commented live), then Dijon and Strasbourg, and Lyon in cup, on March 4. Four matches that should allow PSG to arrive in battle order.
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Put Neymar and the ghosts back on top
In Dortmund, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and even Neymar returned from injury. The latter had not even played since February 1. Hence his release in vitriol after the match… “We, the players, we always want to be on the field, especially before a match like that, to regain the rhythm and be in good shape. That's just what he said, "decrypts Marquinhos. "A mistake ? Imagine, if he had been allowed to play, that his injury had worsened and that he was finally unavailable for three months, ”says Tuchel. Remember that Juan Bernat was not even in the group, too fair. Perhaps the most important goal will be to get everyone back on the circuit by March 11, on pace before Dortmund. By giving a maximum of playing time to "Ney" for example? "But yes," confirms Tuchel. If possible, yes, of course. ”
Gain Confidence
PSG has not been recognized in Germany. "There are technical and tactical things, but it's always a mix," analyzes coach Tuchel. Among the reasons for this non-match, let us cite the jumble of the physical condition of certain players, a team from Dortmund which has played half the matches since the beginning of the year, a tactical scheme by default. But also the mental aspect. "We didn't have the same determination as Dortmund to win this match," notes Tuchel. We also lacked the potential to adapt to situations and we didn't do absolutely everything that was necessary. ” The German coach even mentioned the “fear of making mistakes” right after the match. What "Marqui" sweeps away with the back of his hand. But the facts are there. And it was enough to have eyes in working order last Tuesday to understand that Tuchel is right on this point.
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He will therefore have to pull on the right strings in the weeks to come so that his players free themselves from the psychological shackles that they impose on themselves before the return match. Good news ? “After a defeat, my players are even more competitive. They want to show. This is exactly the state of mind that we need, "said the 46-year-old technician, comparing this match in Germany to the defeat on the field of Liverpool (3-2) at the start of last season. “There were things missing, not just technically or tactically. We left Anfield with the same feeling as in Dortmund, he adds. But we showed the reaction to the return match (2-1 win). It was the same situation, it was necessary to win, and the team showed, under pressure. We need the same reaction. ” The Parc des Princes will only ask for that.
Find Verratti and Meunier's replacements
Warned at the end of the match in the Ruhr, Marco Verratti and Thomas Meunier will be suspended on the return. The matches to come should therefore allow Thomas Tuchel to decide who will replace them. "Yes, clearly," he agrees. At the rear right position, the choice is quickly made: “It's not a big secret. On the right, we have Colin Dagba and Thilo Kehrer in normal times. But Colin is injured, so it's clear that Thilo will play. " And in the middle? Depending on the tactical scheme, Marquinhos could take a place there. Not convened in Dortmund, Leo Paredes applies to accompany him in the midfield. Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera and young (17) Tanguy Kouassi are the other contenders. Place your bets.
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Rise in the final of the Coupe de France and continue in Ligue 1
It's not just the Champions League in the life of PSG. Although ... "It is in our heads, that of the players, recognizes Tuchel. But at the same time we have to prepare matches for L1 and the Coupe de France. ” In this case, Bordeaux, Dijon and Strasbourg are on the menu in the championship. But also a semi-final of the Coupe de France in Lyon. A cleaver match, without a net, while the situation in the Ligue 1 ranking suggests that a misstep here or there would not be prohibitive for the title. “We have matches to win, in which we have to show and gain confidence. We cannot therefore think too much about this return match, but it is in our head ”, summarizes the Bavarian coach. Beyond the fact that each defeat is a mini-crisis for this PSG, chaining the victories is still the best remedy. Neymar, Kylian Mappé and company have the cards in hand. "It is never easy to resume after a defeat, but it is the challenge and it must be, we must show again, at the Park, show immediately that we can make a more intensive match and with confidence", launches Tuchel. The first step on the way to C1.
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