While Paris Saint-Germain have resumed their march forward in Ligue 1 and are now eight points clear of Olympique de Marseille, the capital club know that all the spotlight remains on their performance in the Champions League. Since its takeover in 2011 by QSI, the European scene punctuates the seasons of the Parisian club with its share of emotions, but above all disillusionment.
After the failure in the Coupe de France and the elimination at the Vélodrome, Marquinhos and his family no longer have the right to make mistakes. To avoid a new palace revolution this summer, PSG must overthrow Bayern Munich in the round of 16 second leg this Wednesday (9 p.m.), after their 0-1 defeat in the first leg. Overview of the challenges of this summit meeting.
Reduced during this first round with an entry into play in the 57th minute, Kylian Mbappé carries on his shoulders all the hopes of PSG. The French striker is in great shape, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer after his 201st goal against Nantes. He will be Christophe Galtier’s number one asset at the Allianz Arena and a real headache for the Bavarians: how to manage to contain his influence and prevent him from making differences?
“The most spectacular is Kylian Mbappé” ?? Thomas Müller on his favorite PSG player pic.twitter.com/qVvrc5TMzd
In a press conference, Thomas Müller was confident about his team’s ability to hinder Mbappé. “That’s an easy question, Kylian. He is explosive and knows how to make the right decisions in the penalty area. The whole world enjoys watching it. But we will try to disturb him in his work. If our plan works, he won’t have much fun. “Two years ago, during the Champions League quarter-final first leg played in Munich, Mbappé made an impression with a double (3-2 victory). He obviously hopes to repeat this performance.
Hit in the ankle, the Brazilian international will miss the end of the season and the club of the capital communicated on his absence: “Following his last sprain contracted on February 20, the medical staff of Paris Saint-Germain recommended a ligament repair operation, in order to avoid a major risk of recurrence. “Even if he had a good season statistically with 18 goals scored and 17 assists in all competitions, Neymar represents a too unbalanced PSG who can no longer play with him and Lionel Messi at the same time on the pitch.
It is obviously not a question of questioning the talent of the Brazilian, but of realizing his incompatibility with his former Barça teammate. With the return of the defense to three and the Messi-Mbappé duo in front, Christophe Galtier has found a coherent team, even if defensively the rendering is still far from perfect. Under contract until 2027, Neymar will recover, hoping to return to 100% next season. But by then, the club of the capital will perhaps have done everything possible to make him leave…
Difficult to identify the Italian goalkeeper since his arrival in the capital. Capable of the best but also of the worst, like his goal conceded on a strike from Ludovic Blas from a tight angle on Saturday, the former AC Milan goalkeeper has never fully regained his aura of Euro 2021 A winner with Italy, Donnarumma had impressed with his ability to be decisive while being a leader of his team. In his first season at PSG, he was in competition with Keylor Navas and this uncertainty over the number one position undoubtedly played on his mind.
?? In a closed angle, @ludo9722’s cross-shot! pic.twitter.com/yu1AEvQ9Yg
But this year, Donnarumma has been designated as the indisputable holder by Christophe Galtier, and doubts remain. “We always pointed out his few little mistakes, whether it was a lack of concentration or something. He is told after Benfica (on October 5) that he must continue, always be efficient, “said the Parisian coach during the fall. To become a certainty in his position, the Italian goalkeeper must achieve a major performance on Bavarian soil. Otherwise, worries will give way to mistrust.
In the event of elimination against Bayern on Wednesday, the capital club could once again be plunged into crisis. Arrived only last summer, Christophe Galtier and Luis Campos could already be in the hot seat. Even if Paris Saint-Germain has yet to secure its Ligue 1 title, observers will not spare this team in the event of another European hiccup. Too often, PSG have tied their destiny to the Champions League and experienced tasteless ends to the season after a premature exit from the road.
