“
There is room.
As soon as the defeat against Bayern Munich was recorded three weeks ago at the Parc des Princes (0-1), Kylian Mbappé had already turned to the second leg of this knockout round of the Champions League, this Wednesday ( 9 p.m.,
Canal+
and
RMC
), at the Allianz Arena.
And with the certainty that all is not lost.
And with him, Paris has indeed every reason to believe in it.
No show off: opposite is the ten-time German champion, a great European (6 coronations in C1) and a team that has not lost on home soil since… January 2022. It was in the league, against Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-2).
Marcus Thuram's foals are also the latest to have brought down FC Bayern, in North Rhine-Westphalia, on February 18 (3-2), recalling that Munich is not serene, not omnipotent .
Neither the Bavarian supporters nor the German press approach this round of 16 second leg with a gun, and the stress felt is almost irrational given the score of the first leg.
To discover
Champions League fixtures and results
Except that there is never anything irrational with Kylian Mbappé on the lawn.
And this PSG, thirty-sixth below after its three consecutive defeats (OM, Monaco, Bayern) and reinvigorated after three successes in a row (Lille, OM, Nantes), is capable of beating anyone.
The Bavarians almost paid to see in the first leg: the entry during the game of the PSG striker - miraculously recovered from injury - having completely changed the face of a match that the Munich people could have (should?) have won with a wider gap.
It took a few centimeters and an offside to deprive him of this equalizing goal… “
He immediately showed his quality when he entered, but we must not overdo it and see him more beautiful than it was
, tempers Thomas Müller, for
Picture.
It is an absolute danger, no doubt.
Currently, it is perhaps the best finisher in the world.
»
Read alsoBayern-PSG: Lionel Messi, the Argentinian ogre is not yet satisfied
It is not Christophe Galtier who would contradict this last statement, he who sees as a “
privilege
” to have “
the best striker in the world
” under his direction.
A rare player, at the top of his game at 24 and advancing by leaps and bounds, already top scorer in the history of the capital club.
"
It's moments like that that will make history.
We play for that.
Every footballer plays to leave his name in history, so as not to be forgotten.
It is sure that with that, I think that I will be remembered here
, ”he savored on Saturday, after the success against Nantes (4-2) and this 201st goal having allowed him to double the previous house record holder. , Edinson Cavani.
"
The objective is clear: we are going there to qualify.
We have a lot of confidence, humility too, because we play a great team.
But we are PSG and we always play to win matches.
We will go to Munich to qualify and come back happy
, ”assured Mbappé, sure of himself.
Better life without Neymar?
The challenge will rise without Neymar and Presnel Kimpembe, out for the rest of the season, but with Marquinhos, Nordi Mukiele and Achraf Hakimi, an uncertain time and finally present, but perhaps not 100%.
To see if the latter has the head in the game, he who is under indictment for rape.
One thing is certain: the absence of Neymar, "
prejudicial
" in the eyes of Galtier, allows PSG to field three midfielders in addition to the three central backs, a pattern seen during the Classic in Marseille (3-0 victory) and which appears as obvious in terms of collective balance.
"
It's a handicap
", assures the 56-year-old technician, slipping that it allows him to give more balance to his team "
by the profile of the backgrounds
".
This match at the Vélodrome is also a new start for this PSG on alternating current since the World Cup.
The click?
Simple reaction of pride?
Answer in Munich.
In any case, this is the formula that coach Galtier should use this Wednesday evening in Germany.
Will Kylian Mbappé show the same smile on Wednesday evening after the match?
ANGELIKA WARMUTH / REUTERS
This return to form is likely to restore hope in Paris.
And this even if Bayern, strengthened by the return of Sadio Mané, have won 15 of their last 17 Champions League matches at home.
The two exceptions?
A draw synonymous with elimination against Unai Emery's Villarreal last season, in the quarter-finals, and in 2021, also in the quarter-finals, and against… Paris Saint-Germain.
"
The other teams know that it's not easy to play against PSG
", underlines Marco Verratti, confirming that PSG arrives in Bavaria with "
a lot of confidence
" for what "
could have been a poster for the final
".
It was also that of the final in 2020, in Lisbon, with a Bavarian success at stake.
Goal by former titi Kingsley Coman.
For the superstitious, it is Daniel Orsato who will be on the whistle this Wednesday at the Allianz Arena, the referee of the final in 2020...
If our plan works, Kylian Mbappé will not take much pleasure.
Thomas Muller
If Paris remains on three victories and has, it seems, found the ideal formula to put its talents to music, it is above all the presence of Mbappé which feeds all the dreams of the Parisian people.
Bondy's star is capable of anything, especially the best.
He inspires as much fear in his opponent as he does in his team.
And he has got into the habit of responding to major events.
"
If our plan works, it won't take much pleasure
," smiles Thomas Müller.
The last time "KM" came to Bavaria, he scored twice there and guided Paris to success in 2021 (2-3).
The plan must not have been good.
"
That I'm happy is definitely important for the team.
But the most important thing is that the team has put its head back in place and is ready to take up the challenge in Munich
, ”swore the ex-future Madrid player again last Saturday.
Read alsoChampions League: where to see Bayern-PSG and five questions about the match
Galtier knows the recipe
It is up to him and his little comrades to overthrow Bayern on his lawn.
Otherwise, it is still a long end to the season that would be looming in the capital, as in 2018, 2019 and last year.
In any case, the Parisians must bear in mind that Mbappé, as strong as he is, cannot do everything.
Recipe ?
“
Playing, playing a lot more than what we did in the first leg.
With another game plan. The presence of Kylian (Mbappé) will bring much more depth and percussion, but it will be necessary to make sure to have more the ball and to be much higher on the ground, if possible to recover the ball much earlier in the opposing camp
, ”analyzes Galtier.
And to add:
It will be necessary to have a much more aggressive behavior, much more conquering, and to achieve a much more complete match than in the first leg.
If we are in this state of mind, with this desire to do things, we have the possibility of qualifying
”.
A big if?
