It is a not trivial match which awaits the PSG this Wednesday (6:55 pm).
Already for sporting reasons, with an obligation to bring back the three points from the Fatih-Terim stadium after the disappointment against Manchester United last week (1-2).
Facing Istanbul Basaksehir, little Thumb of the group, the full box is required.
Moreover, Paris will also be expected on the form.
And Thomas Tuchel knows it: "We are here to show that we want to win, that we can play a lot better than last week."
What he pretends not to know, however, is that his situation is more precarious than ever, between mysterious choices, scratches at Leonardo and this worrying setback against MU.
Not to mention the fact that Leonardo did not choose him at the start… "I don't feel in danger," he swears.
A coach can never be afraid of a result, it is not possible.
I stay focused, I know how we prepare for matches, how we are together at Camp des Loges.
The rest is not of interest to me. "
Of which act.
Gueye and Kehrer back to business
For this match, two good news: Thilo Kehrer and Idrissa Gueye made the trip to Turkey.
Ditto for Angel Di Maria and Layvin Kurzawa.
Marco Verratti, Leo Paredes, Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and third goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier are forfeited.
Marquinhos?
No suspense: "He will play in the middle to help us win this game."
Enzo Crivelli (ex-Bordeaux, Bastia, Angers, Caen), Rafael (ex-OL) and Demba Ba and company know what to expect, they who will have the heavy load of wearing the colors of the club dear to President Erdogan for the first time at home in the Champions League.
Istanbul Basaksehir is indeed a newcomer to C1.
Out of nowhere.
AKP rather.
"
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Because this is the second Kiss Cool effect: Franco-Turkish tensions have been strong for a few days and the epidermal reaction of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the words of Emmanuel Macron, the latter having highlighted the freedom to caricature the prophet Muhammad following the beheading of Samuel Paty on October 16 in the suburbs of Paris.
The Turkish president invited his counterpart to consult a specialist in "mental health" before asking for a boycott of French products.
He also took long days before finally condemning the odious assassination of the history professor ... The French Ambassador in Ankara has since been recalled.
“We heard things, says coach Tuchel.
I'm not worried, but I'm sad that not everyone can live together and in harmony.
Each person wants to live in harmony.
I am a little sad, but not worried.
I hope there will be no implication between sport and politics. ”
"We come to play and go home, the rest is not our responsibility"
Presnel Kimpembe
The German coach admits not raising the issue in front of his squad, but does not rule out the idea of doing so.
“There are some tensions, it's a particular situation.
We will think, but the focus must be on the athlete, he insists.
It is a privilege to play in the Champions League, and we can perhaps give a signal that it is possible to fight on a sporting level.
I hope we can give it to everyone.
We will focus on the sporting aspects. ”
So far, no worries, Presnel Kimpembe and company have not felt any form of tension since their arrival on Tuesday afternoon.
“Not at all, RAS!” He smiles.
“We are footballers.
As long as UEFA gives its consent to play here, we come to play and go home.
The rest is not our responsibility, ”says the international tricolor of 25 years.
In the stadium, the atmosphere will be muted.
No risk of overflow, with only a few dozen VIPs expected this Wednesday.
It is up to Parisians to ignore the political context, to say the least, and to focus on the essential: the three points.
“We are always very demanding with us, our expectations are very high, Tuchel promises.
It's the second game, we have zero points.
I hope that the one against MU was the last moment to remind you that you have to give your all physically to win.
It is the champion of Turkey, an experienced team.
We lack players but we have a lot of confidence. "
Confidence that should be transformed into success.
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