Last stop before the Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain.
After crushing Lille last Sunday (1-5), in a box in the form of a transfer of power, the Parisians receive Rennes this Friday, in a clash between the leader and the fifth in the Ligue 1 standings at the start of the 24th day.
And especially four days before an extremely anticipated duel against Real Madrid, in the round of 16 first leg of C1.
To discover
Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
Obviously, Mauricio Pochettino made a speech heard in front of the press on Thursday, when he was asked if he already had in mind the eleven that he will line up on Tuesday: “
The most important match is Rennes.
We have the responsibility to be focused on this meeting, to give our maximum.
We know that many things can still happen.
We know the importance of the Champions League, in general and for the club.
But we are totally focused on Rennes.
Sworn spit?
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One thing is certain: “
The best way to prepare for the next events is to be thorough, to perform well and to win
”.
That's what Pochettino said again.
Difficult to prove him wrong, even if one is tempted to add that it would also be good not to see the infirmary fill up this Friday.
All knowing that Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Ander Herrera are still glued to it.
Although, the first city has partially resumed training for several days already, he who has been out since the end of November with a sprained ankle.
Will he be fit on Tuesday?
Suspense…
Confirmation and revenge
In the meantime, it will be about confirmation and rematch this Friday, trying not to think too much about Madrid.
Confirmation after the convincing success in Lille, even if the Mastiffs offered their first three goals to the Parisians that evening.
Revenge, because Stade Rennes is one of the three clubs to have beaten PSG since the start of the season, with City in C1 and Losc in the Champions Trophy.
Recently, Nice still dismissed Paris in the Coupe de France, on penalties (0-0, 5-6 pens).
An elimination in the form of a setback after a (small) rise in power against Brest (2-0) and Reims (4-0).
“
It's always important (to continue).
In football, there are sensations, emotions.
It is important that this feeling is positive for the players, so that they prepare in the best way and have the most accomplished performance.
The first thing is to win against a team that beat us.
It will be a sporting revenge
”, says “Poche”, who has also seen “
improvements
” in the form of a “
good signal
” before the C1.
Still slight progress...
“The process is not always linear but we are happy that it shows. »
Mauricio Pochettino
“
We always want to improve.
The process is not always linear but we are happy that it shows.
We arrive in an important month of competition.
It's important to have these improvements against Lille.
The level of attention from the team and the energy, it was very good.
We found good sequences in the position game.
The level of aggression of the team at the loss of the ball was as we wished
, ”he judges.
In any case, it is a little late to hope to see PSG gain certainty in the game. Rennes is therefore not a test.
For Pochettino and his men, it is a question of finding the maximum of balance and solidity in order to allow the offensive stars, in this case, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, while waiting for the return of the "Ney" , to make a difference.
No more, no less, whether we like it or not.
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The midfielders also have the right to put their noses out the window in terms of scoring, as we have seen since the start of the season and again recently with Danilo Pereira's double.
We will still carefully follow the choices of the Argentine technician in midfield or in goal, knowing that Keylor Navas has not played since his return from selection with Costa Rica.
Remember that the former Real goalkeeper and Gianluigi Donnarumma have played three matches each in C1 so far.
Last but not least, PSG-Rennes will mark the return of the Ultras to the Parc des Princes, a few days after the publication of an incendiary press release from the Collectif Ultras Paris.
Until the reception of Nice in the Cup, the Parisian enclosure was, like all the stadiums in France, limited to 5000 spectators.
This time, 45,000 people will take their places to support the vice-champions of France.
It will make a change...
Real with or without Benzema?
It is up to the players to ensure that this reunion goes well before THE big meeting that all the Parisian people are waiting for, next Tuesday, against Karim Benzema and company.
Still, said Benzema is still uncertain at the time of this writing, as Casa Blanca prepare for their trip to Unai Emery's Villarreal on Saturday, La Liga Matchday 24.
And as Pochettino admitted, “
his withdrawal would definitely be a loss for Real Madrid
”.
In the meantime, place in Rennes.