Jérôme Rothen shares his feelings before the Champions League clash between PSG and Manchester City, this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, from 9 p.m. Woe to the loser, knowing that the two clubs are in a very bad position in the most beautiful of European competitions.
Winner of the Champions Trophy against AS Monaco (1-0), leader of Ligue 1 with nine points ahead of the runner-up, Paris Saint-Germain confirms its domination at the national level. The Parisians are clearly above the rest in France but Jérôme Rothen believes that this is not enough to compete with the best European teams.
“PSG today has a reference: Ligue 1. They dominate it, they are undefeated, even in difficulty, they manage to do well in the game. But, does the level of Ligue 1 allow them to “have reasons for hope? That's the reflection… The level of Ligue 1 is quite insufficient to judge them for the Champions League and after the first six Champions League matches, it was not flamboyant.” , he analyzes.
For Manchester City it’s not easy either. 5th in the Premier League, the Citizens are just coming out of a bad patch but are regaining color. “I would have taken it 15 days ago, they were in a tough situation with results that were struggling to turn in their favor, they took a few slaps, with players in poor form. Today, maybe not, they remain with a 6-0 away victory”, he justifies.
And City has undeniable assets, notably the experience of its team, unlike PSG, whose average age is only 24.6 years. “I think City have more arguments even if the Champions League is also complicated for them this year. These matches can also be decided on experience.”
-Will Paris fall back into its old ways?
PSG, often criticized for its tendency to get into difficulty in the Champions League, will have to rise to the occasion, in contrast to their poor matches since the start of the group stages of this competition.
“Paris always has this ability to get into difficulty. There they got into difficulty with this bad group stage, they did not achieve a great Champions League and automatically they are in danger in the last two matches. If we are optimistic, with only one victory in the two matches, Paris has a great chance of passing and I would be them, I would try to take four points from two matches”, estimates Rothen.
The question remains whether PSG, at home, will be able to shine against Manchester City who are gradually regaining their form. This match could well decide their future in the Champions League, before focusing on the meeting against Stuttgart, crucial in the event of defeat this evening.
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