Could there be a better scenario? Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid, 1AND June, in London, for Kylian Mbappé’s last season with the rossoblù; the one who is expected to join the ranks of the White House next season. The outcome of the first leg of the semi-finals of the prestigious European football competition, scheduled for 30 and 1 AprilAND May, questions this ideal casting. Starting with PSG’s presence at Wembley Stadium in just over three weeks.
Battu (0-1) at Signal Iduna Park the capital club is in an unfavorable exception when it hosts Borussia Dortmund (BVB), Tuesday 7 May at 9pm, for the second act of their double clash. “We have nothing left to lose”, recognized Luis Enrique, the Parisian coach, after the first leg. However, it is not a question of giving in to defeatism. “The group is extremely calm”explained Kylian Mbappé on Sunday, on the sidelines of an event of his association, Inspired By KM, on the Champs-Elysées.
For what will a priori be his last Champions League match at home, at the Parc des Princes, with PSG, the striker says he will “ready to defend the colors of (son) squad “. Even his captain, Marquinhos, wanted to reassure in the press conference: ” After the match (in Dortmund), we told ourselves we could do better. The coach framed this and showed us the strategy. » A trust, the Brazilian elaborates, that arrives ” Work ” carried out throughout the season.
The gap between the two teams is small: just one goal. “We have a small advantage, nothing more, nothing less”, admitted BVB coach Edin Terzic after his team’s victory. In the previous round, Paris defeated FC Barcelona at home (4-1), after losing the first leg at home (2-3). This time, in the second leg, PSG has the advantage on their home field: the first time since the start of the round of 16 of this edition. “What gives us hope? The Park, our supporters »insisted Luis Enrique.
The 1stAND In May, Signal Iduna Park and its famous “yellow wall” – the largest permanent stand in Europe, where Borussia’s most fervent fans gather – had played their role of twelfth man to perfection. But the more than 3,000 Parisians traveling across the Rhine were no strangers to this “exceptional atmosphere”, praised by the Asturian at the final whistle. They sang, shouted and applauded continuously well after the ninety minutes of the match. On Tuesday there will be almost 45,000 inside the Porte de Saint-Cloud, despite the seats being sold at high prices on ticket resale platforms (from around 430 euros to several thousand euros).
The Ultras Paris Collective announced the general mobilization on its X account: “This confrontation long awaited by an entire people must end with an apotheosis (…) we invite ALL THE PARISIAN PEOPLE to become one body”in the city as in the bays of the Parco dei Principi. “We have to make our fans proud and get to this final”he hammered, for his part, Luis Enrique.
Dortmund dreams of revenge
The issue will not be simple, while Lucas Hernandez’s package forced the capital club to review their defensive plans. The victim of a cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee in the first leg, the French international has formed a solid, complementary and, above all, experienced central link with Marquinhos.
To replace him, will Luis Enrique rely on Beraldo, 20 years old, who showed limits against Barcelona? Danilo, who sometimes lacks speed and mobility? Or Milan Skriniar, who has only played one full match since he returned after a three-month absence and ankle surgery? This choice is all the more important as, given the result of the first leg, PSG will absolutely have to score and will undoubtedly be more exposed to counterattacks.
“The goal is not to win with a two-goal margin, but to win (…). You can score two goals in three minutes, but also suffer, you have to play 100% concentrated in attack or defenseclaimed the PSG coach. If we concede a goal it doesn’t matter – we qualified against Barcelona – and if we score a goal it changes the attitude of our opponents. »
“We’ll go (in Paris) win, even if we know that a draw could be enough for us.”, Edin Terzic promised for his part. On Saturday, the German coach gave his troops some respite, rotating the team and leaving Jadon Sancho, Julian Brandt, Karim Adeyemi and even Niclas Füllkrug – the scorer of the first round match against Germany – on the bench at the start of the Bundesliga. ‘Augsburg (5-1 victory). Forward Sébastien Haller, who had not set foot on the pitch at Signal Iduna, 1AND May is also part of the group for the trip to Paris due to a pain in her ankle.
Will Borussia have the chance to take revenge in London on Tuesday evening or will Paris be a party? For optimism, the Rouge et Bleu coach leans towards the second option. In any case, he promised it to a young fan he met this weekend after training at the PSG Campus in Poissy (Yvelines). “Please, in the return match, try to do everything to win. » A word then, these few words by Luis Enrique, in the language of Molière: ” We will win. “ It’s said, now all that remains is.