Lyon-PSG, six-point game

"We arrive at a key moment in the championship," insists Marco Verratti.

This is true for the 20 teams that make up the hexagonal elite, and even more for "his" PSG, Lyon, even Monaco, and of course Lille who will aim to consolidate their leadership position against Nîmes this Sunday (5 p.m.) , all in the race for the title of champion.

There are nine days left, including this weekend's, the 30th.

Points count double.

And even more in the direct confrontations between contenders for the coronation.

So this Sunday evening, between OL and Paris-SG (9 p.m., live commented), it will be bad luck for the vanquished.

“It's a very important game.

I don't know if it's a final, but there are in any case three important points to take in view of the classification, ”confirms Mauricio Pochettino, the Parisian coach.

In the standings precisely, Parisiens and Lyonnais are neck and neck, 60 points for each of the two teams, but a goal difference to the advantage of the Red and Blue (+44 against +31).

In front, Lille (63 pts).

Behind, Monaco (59 pts).

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Obviously, Paris Saint-Germain does not only have Hexagoal in mind.

Besides the Coupe de France, the Champions League and this quarter-final against Bayern Munich occupy a large part of their thoughts.

First leg on April 7, in Germany.

And between the two, the vice-champions of Europe will rub shoulders with Losc after the truce, on April 3!

Dantesque program.

“We are very confident.

We are not afraid.

We are excited to play this type of match to show that we are the best ", loose Verratti, ensuring that his teammates and himself were" happy "after the draw of the C1 on Friday.

“For a player, the best is to face the best to become the best team.

We have very high goals, ”continues the Italian international.  

Paris, weak against the strong

Problem?

The capital club have not often shone in major matches since the start of the season, especially in L1.

Admittedly, the Pochettino players won in Manchester (1-3) and Camp Nou (1-4), and we saw them win against Lille no later than last Wednesday, in the Cup (3 -0).

For the rest, it's hard, especially at the Parc des Princes, with setbacks against OM (0-1), MU (1-2) or Monaco (0-2).

Against Lyon too (0-1).

In fact, the Parisians took only one point out of 12 possible, in Lille (0-0), against the other members of the Top 4!

“The victory in Paris shows us that we can beat this team, but it's another moment, another coach, it will not be the same tactics, the match will be different, assures Rudi Garcia, the coach of the OL.

Even if they are doing a worse league this season, since they have seven defeats, the fact that they are cut out for the Champions League makes them a very dangerous opponent that we must respect but not fear to play our luck bravely. . "

Same story on the side of the captain of Gones, Memphis Depay, determined not to bow his head against PSG this Sunday, at Groupama Stadium: "We fear no one, but it would be foolish to underestimate this team."

Kylian Mbappé's quadruplet against Lyon in 2018 (video)

No bragging either on the Parisian side, despite the return to business of Neymar, probably replacing at kickoff.

Verratti indeed remembers that the Lyonnais "eliminated Juventus and reached the semi-final of C1 last season".

"Our European course must be an inspiration for us, we know that we can fight against the very best teams, that gives us a mental boost," promises Memphis.

"The accounts will be made at the end"

Marco Verratti

Like PSG, monster of irregularity this season, OL are nevertheless also capable of leaving feathers against teams of lower standing.

This was also the case last weekend, with a draw against the poorly classified Reims (1-1), 48 hours before the Parisian defeat against another dunce of L1, Nantes (1-2).

“I hope that the second period of Reims will be in our heads, Garcia squeaks.

We will do everything to find parades and be consistent throughout the game.

We have to have confidence in ourselves, in the team.

You just have to leave the field with the feeling of accomplishment and have no regrets.

And I think we will be rewarded. ”

Obviously, Pochettino will ask the same of his troops.

And the Argentine coach is far from having surrendered for the title.

“I am convinced that if we do what we have to do, that we win the matches, we will be there.

This year, there are really difficult circumstances, but I am convinced that we can achieve it ", assures the former captain of PSG, while Marco Verratti rightly points out that" the accounts will be made at the end.

We have matches against Lyon and Lille.

If we win both, we will keep our fate in our hands. ”

We will already have to get the best of Lucas Paqueta and company this Sunday.

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• League 1 standings