Verratti brilliant, sad spectacle, the goalkeepers at the top… Five things to remember after PSG-OL

Paris above the lot, not (yet?) Europe for OL

"We do not have to be ashamed, we held it high at PSG," said Rudi Garcia. But that will not have been enough, and the Parisians raised this 26th and last Coupe de la Ligue on Friday, at the expense of OL, the ninth in the history of the club (0-0 ap, 6-5 tab). "It's a fantastic week for us", relishes Ander Herrera, remembering that Paris had already won the final of the Coupe de France (1-0 against Saint-Etienne) a week before. “I am very proud, very happy. We have four titles and we have the possibility of playing a quarter-final of the Champions League ”, underlines Thomas Tuchel. "His" PSG has indeed achieved the quadruplet (Champions Trophy, Ligue 1 and the two cups) in 2019-20. And this time, no huge physical problem. There is a small concern for Layvin Kurzawa, but a priori not for Thiago Silva or Marquinhos. There remains the question of Juan Bernat, who has not played since the resumption. For OL, who have not won anything since 2012, the prospect of a 2020-21 season without a European Cup is taking shape. It would be a first since 1997! "Ask us the question when we will be eliminated from the Champions League, if we are eliminated from the Champions League," Garcia squeaks. Note that the Parisian success offers a place in the Europa League in Reims.

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Lopes and Navas, guardians of their temple

A guard in Paris. As has been widely underlined during the past season, Keylor Navas is doing Paris Saint-Germain a lot of good. Without doubt the best Parisian doorman since… Bernard Lama! Impassable on the few rare interventions he had to make in the game, the Costa Rican international dismissed Bertrand Traoré's shot on goal. Decisive. But his Lyon counterpart was not left out. Not Ciprian Tatarusanu, last minute forfeit, but Anthony Lopes, author of many high class parades during the game. "Antho was very good in the game. We even thought it would make the difference on penalties ...", sighs Garcia. Two greats from L1.

Verratti, already back in favor

Some individuals pulled out of the game Friday night, in the doldrums of this dull final (see elsewhere). We think of the goalkeepers, but also of Neymar, the man of all dangers for OL. It was he who was the most dangerous throughout the meeting. And there is Marco Verratti. In addition to his grigris and sleight of hand, the Italian international shone in the Paris midfield. A full game, after ... a game on the bench. Some already thought that the era-Verratti was over at PSG, that it was appropriate to meet the "Little Owl" in the rank of luxury replacement, or even future starter. They are at their expense. Moreover, the return to 4-3-3, the time of a match and perhaps more if Kylian Mbappé was missing on August 12, perfectly suits the qualities of the Italian. Note that Herrera is "optimistic" for Mbappé.

Sad final, sad end for the League Cup

"It was a closed match, you saw it," noted Rudi Garcia. Yes, we saw. The match will not have reached heights in terms of spectacle, play, technical prowess. After four months of hiatus and in sweltering heat, this can be explained. The absence of Kylian Mbappé on the Parisian side, too. We know its importance in the game. Still, this Coupe de la Ligue - which few will regret - ends on a gloomy note. “It was difficult against a good team, relativizes Verratti, on France 2 . Playing a 120-minute match, after four months off, is not easy. We suffered but it's nice to win at the end. We are going to party and we will think of another great game. "

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And now, heading for the Champions League

Both clubs will now look to the Champions League. On the menu ? Round of 16 second leg against Juventus in Turin, August 7, for OL. Les Gones will have to "do better offensively" to score, as recognized by Rudi Garcia. “We have to keep our heads up, realize what we have done well and that it will help us to qualify for the quarterfinals,” he added. Recall that OL won the first leg 1-0, and that Juve is not at its best, despite a new coronation in Serie A. The Parisians, they will face Atalanta on August 12, in Lisbon, in quarter-finals. “We are ready and quiet because we have done the work on the national scene and we are ready for the Champions League,” insists Herrera. The French champions will however have to do (much) better than against ASSE and OL to hope to lift the Cup with big ears on August 23. “Atalanta (who were able to finish their championship) has a great advantage because they have the rhythm, grinds Tuchel. We have to find solutions. They have a completely special style. We must prepare. It is not easy. They are super strong. ” Paris still has a trial gallop on August 5 at the Parc des Princes against Sochaux (L2), before flying to Portugal and Faro on the 8th.

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