From our special correspondent in Dortmund,
If there is one thing that cannot be taken away from PSG, it is knowing how to renew itself in entertainment in the Champions League. After the incredible eliminations in the round of 16, the Parisian club offers us a great novelty this season: the fear of not making it out of the groups. Carried away in Newcastle and Milan, miraculously defeated against the English at the Parc, the Parisians had never been in such difficulty in the first phase since the start of the QSI era in 2011.
“A great match”
PSG, second in their group, can still finish first in the event of a victory on the lawn of Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, but can also be overtaken by Newcastle in the event of a defeat or a draw if the English win at home against AC Milan. We have seen a crazier scenario. So on the eve of playing for their European future, Parisians are well aware of the pressure that escorts them.
“There is a lot of expectation and excitement about this match, but we must take that to motivate us, not in a negative way,” urged Marquinhos at a press conference this Tuesday evening. That’s what great teams do in times like this. It’s a big match, we have our destiny in our hands, it’s the type of matches that we want to play in our career. »
The Brazilian has experienced others in a decade spent in the Parisian jersey, not always happily. But he doesn’t want to hear about any unpleasant surprises. “If I thought the team didn’t have the character to qualify here, I would have stayed at home,” he replied when asked about PSG’s recurring away difficulties. The coach was very precise in the approach to the match, he was very demanding, everyone is ready. »
The coach, let’s talk about it. Enigmatic in his communication since the start of the competition – the two matches against Newcastle were apparently successful – Luis Enrique is playing big. But this is obviously not a subject for him 24 hours before the meeting. “Be positive my friend”, he responded in English in the text to a colleague who asked him if he was worried. What else can he say, at the same time, other than that he wants to win this meeting? “The big clubs play important matches every month of every season. It’s normal,” he added again to play down the drama.
The C1 mission still relevant
For the motivation of the troops in any case, no worries. “These are the easiest matches to understand, you even have to control this desire to play, so that it is not excessive,” assured the former Barça coach. Everyone knows the stakes of this match, and the importance that this competition has for us. » Indeed, if the quest for the club’s first C1 is no longer proclaimed under everyone’s roof these days, it nonetheless remains an obsession. The watchword was perhaps patience at the start of the season, but we should not push to the point of elimination before the start of winter, anyway.