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Champions League draw: "PSG will be an outsider", assures Rabésandratana

2020-07-10T05:41:58.125Z


The former Parisian defender, deciphers the stakes of the draw, this Friday noon, the quarter-finals and the final draw of the eur competition


Before an unprecedented and historic draw for the final tournament of the Champions League (August 12 to 23 in Lisbon), this Friday, from noon, in Nyon (Switzerland), Eric Rabésandratana (1997-2001), the former Parisian defender, evokes the situation of PSG. Consultant for France Bleu Paris and Canal + Afrique, he vibrated during the Parisian qualification against Dortmund. It was March 11, four months ago already ...

Has time seemed long since the knockout round between PSG and Borussia Dortmund?

ERIC RABESANDRATANA. Yes. Considering what has happened, it is almost a new season which begins. With the cut and the fact that the matches have not resumed, this is even more the case in France. We will see what it will generate.

Will PSG be ready for Final 8?

There will be the Cup final before ( Editor's note: July 24 and 31 ) so it's still a good preparation, with three friendlies before. It's always worse than the championship. But given the evolution of the situation, it is not so bad. Because ultimately, it allows for a normal preparation compared to the others who have made the end of the championship, more a break, more a recovery. It's a little weird.

For you, is this a chance?

It can be interesting. That is to say that they make a real preparation but which changes compared to what they usually do because it will be made so that they are good right away. And not in two or three months.

In what spirit should Paris play the two Cup finals?

These are not preparation matches. These are important matches for your club so you will have to go all out and not start calculating, to say to yourself: I mustn't hurt myself. No. The best way to avoid injury is to play hard.

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What changes the fact that the draw is complete and that the quarter-finalists know their potential opponent in half in advance?

Let's say it can be a double-edged sword, but it's good. You're going to play X. And if you know that behind it can be an easier opponent, it prepares you. You say to yourself: if we're in the middle of a quarter, we may be able to follow up . Whereas if you don't know, you think there will necessarily be a big behind. I don't know ... It can play. But, frankly, when you get to the quarterfinals, you just know you have to go all the way.

Some designate Paris as a favorite, with Bayern Munich. Does this seem realistic to you?

No, it's not fair. If they used to play the quarterfinals every year, I would say ok. Except that this is not normal. It's the appearance that gives this impression. But this is not the reality. So they have to come in as a challenger and play their luck thoroughly by believing in their possibilities because they have them. That's the thing.

They are not favorites but outsiders, right?

Paris will be an outsider, exactly. But with ambition. So it can help them. But above all, do not start taking yourself for another, saying to yourself: we are in quarters, we are going to go to the final . Play the quarter and then we will discuss!

What would be a good draw for PSG?

There are still two, three light (sic) teams . The three teams already qualified - Atalanta Bergamo, Atlético de Madrid and Leipzig - they are the ones I would prefer to take. Now, I'm not saying that it will be easy because Atalanta does not seem like anything but it is good and that a German club is always difficult to play ... But frankly it remains the three most interesting. Anyway, that will not detract from the fact that you will have to play hard and especially not think that it will be easier. It would be the trap.

Doesn't the prospect of a Final 8 behind closed doors spoil the party?

It's clear! It spoils the party because the supporters were so happy to make the European trips ... Going on watch is still good news that you've been waiting for a while. And then you can't live it in the stadium. It is still sad. Afterwards, we know the cause of all this. So we're not going to take the lead. There is a valid reason for not going there. You have to accept it, but it's ch… and it distorts the competition.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2020-07-10

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