Certainly, PSG, currently 25th in the standings, can absolutely lose in Munich and still have a chance of appearing in the 24 qualified out of the 36 teams engaged in this new format of the first round of the supreme club competition.
He would still have three matches left to increase his now famous points capital: four! The first in Salzburg, the second against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Parc des Princes, the last in Stuttgart.
But Paris would probably have a cross on the top 8, directly qualified for the round of 16 without going through perilous round-trip play-offs. And would see the most advanced places among the play-offs move away, those who guarantee to receive on the return, against a less well ranked opponent.
Every point, every goal counts in this new formula and PSG could pay for it, having been ineffective in four matches (only 3 goals scored, two of which were partly due to an error by the opposing goalkeeper).
The hypothesis of elimination in the first round, unprecedented since the arrival of the Qatari fund QSI in 2011, is no longer unimaginable. PSG is “without a doubt” in danger, coach Luis Enrique conceded after the defeat against Atlético Madrid at the last second (2-1), on November 6 at the Parc.
The players came out “affected”, he confided. “How would it be possible not to be hit?”
Bayern is also looking for its way
It is therefore full of doubts and stress that this young PSG, lacking benchmarks and leaders after the departure of Kylian Mbappé, travels on Tuesday to the Allianz Arena, one of the most impressive stadiums in Europe, to challenge Bayern Munich, one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Reason for hope: Bayern is also looking for its way with its new coach Vincent Kompany, without much reference on the bench. The Bavarians are only 17th in the league stage with two wins and two defeats.
But in the game of comparisons, after the successive departures of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, PSG comes across as Little Thumb this season. Munich has many more stars and experienced players in its ranks, from Harry Kane to Manuel Neuer, from Jamal Musiala to Joshua Kimmich.
PSG will seek to build on its offensive success in the championship (36 goals in 12 games), where Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé rise without difficulty above the fray. The two friends are still looking for their first goal this season in C1.
But we will also have to defend and do it well, because Bayern have also scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga… in 11 matches. Harry Kane in particular is in great form, he who scored a new triple on Friday evening against Augsburg, his 12th, 13th and 14th goals in the league this season (20 in all competitions, including 5 in C1).
“Since I joined Bayern, I think I am in the best shape of my career,” said the 31-year-old striker. Parisians have been warned.
Par Le360 (with AFP)
11/25/2024 at 8:32 a.m.
