We might as well say it clearly right away: we were no longer used to seeing PSG suffer so much in such a short period.
Even if the adversaries (Magdebourg in the Champions League and Montpellier) are not the first partridges to come, it has been a long time since the French champion had chained two defeats.
Before leaving to take a few days off to commune with the family, the Parisians (2nd) risk spending bitter holidays if they lose again this Wednesday in Nantes (3rd on equal points).
A few hours before receiving Magdeburg, Nikola Karabatic showed a positive attitude: "We are in good shape, it's good because we have a big match waiting for us this Wednesday (14) and important trips, had warned the legend of the tricolor handball.
We can't wait to play them.
The disillusion with the German champion (33-37) then that of Montpellier (30-31), who took the reins of leader alone for the occasion, could logically weigh down the level of confidence of Raul Gonzalez's group, who also lost an indispensable element in the person of Kamil Syprzak.
Injured in the Champions League, the Polish pivot suffered a fatigue fracture of the fibula.
Already absent on Saturday in the Hérault, he could also miss the world championship, co-organized by his country (with Sweden) and which begins in mid-January.
Since the start of the season, the 2m07 giant (author of 85 league goals and 71 on the European scene) has been, along with Dainis Kristopans and Elohim Prandi, one of the team's finishers.
In Montpellier, his absence was felt while his two acolytes were far from their usual stats (6/10 for Kristopans, 4/9 for Prandi).
PSG then relied on David Balaguer (6/7).
Arrived in the capital this summer, the latter (who finds his former club) tempers: “The championship is not over.
The worst you could do is get upset.
We must remain united.
There are still important matches.
The Spanish international is not wrong: PSG certainly has enough pride and a spirit of revenge to win against the other French LdC team, which had dominated it during the Trophée des Champions last September.
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There remains an important element that should not be overlooked.
Temple of Nantes handball, the Neodfiff XXL hall deserves its name.
It should even be full, with 10,000 supporters won over to the cause of their players.
After European successes against Szeged, Kiel, and Mikkel Hansen's Aalborg, the H suffered their first defeat there on December 15 against the Barcelona champions.
PSG obviously knows this.
If a draw result would allow the Parisians to stay ahead of their opponent in goal average (+3), a victory will give them a small advantage before returning to the championship, on February 12 against Dunkirk.
Also this Wednesday, Créteil (14th) welcomes Ivry (13th) in a very important Ile-de-France derby for maintenance (8:30 p.m., R.Oubron sports hall).