DECRYPTION – Everything you need to know before the duel between PSG and the Dutch champions this Tuesday at the Parc.
After Girona and Arsenal, PSG faces PSV Eindhoven this Tuesday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, during the third day of the Champions League. A match to follow on Canal+ and of course live commentary on our site.
What journey so far?
Paris Saint-Germain started their European campaign with a miraculous victory against Girona (1-0), at the Parc des Princes. Miraculous because it was necessary to wait until stoppage time for Nuno Mendes to push the Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga into a mistake. Luis Enrique’s players then had a real test against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Failed test and 2-0 defeat as a result. Dramatic? Losing on the field of one of the best teams in Europe, without its best player – Ousmane Dembélé, dismissed by Luis Enrique – and with two posts, it is not shameful. Paris, however, had revealed significant flaws. Gigio Donnarumma in the lead… Two games and three points on the clock for PSG. Beaten in Turin against Juve (3-1) and upset at home against Sporting (1-1), PSV Eindhoven is still chasing its first victory of the season in C1.
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Imperative victory for Paris?
Yes. Let’s be clear: the Parisians have little chance of finishing between 25th and last place in the Champions League standings. If victory is imperative this Tuesday, it is with the aim of direct accession to the round of 16, that is to say finishing in the Top 8 in the rankings. From ninth to 24th place, head to the play-offs in February. However, PSG, which has already failed against Arsenal, did not have a lucky hand in the draw: Atlético, Bayern and Manchester City are on the menu. The French champions will perhaps take nine points out of nine in these matches, but it is more than uncertain… In these conditions, it is advisable to refuel against the “little ones”, everything is relative, Girona, Salzburg , Stuttgart and therefore Eindhoven.
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PSG-PSV, first?
Yes. The two clubs have never crossed swords on the European scene until now. In fact, PSG have rarely faced Dutch teams. At the Parc, it’s 100% with victories against Ajax (3-1) in 2014, in C1, and Twente (4-0), in 2008, in the UEFA Cup. No return match against Twente and a draw in Amsterdam (1-1). European champion in 1988, PSV on the other hand faced 10 French clubs for a record of nine wins, 12 draws and nine defeats. Last season, the Dutch got the better of RC Lens, in C1, with a 2-1 victory at home and a draw at Bollaert. Very agitated match in the streets of Lens…
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Why are PSV supporters banned from the Park?
In fact, they’re not actually banned. But they will nevertheless not be present in Paris. A ministerial decree initially prohibited their arrival last week, when the 2000 tickets had already been sold. The Council of State reversed this decision on Saturday evening. “However, a number of restrictions remain in place, such as an area ban and the freedom to express yourself as a PSV fan”indicated the Dutch club… before giving up the 2000 places, which were put back on sale by PSG.
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What should we expect from PSV?
“It’s difficult to assess the level of the opponent with this new format of the Champions Leaguenotes Luis Enrique. It’s a very high level team, no doubt. They won the championship with incredible numbers last season.further deciphers the Spanish coach. And to continue: “It will be a complicated match, without a doubt. It will look like that of Strasbourg (4-2 victory on Saturday), difficult, they play far from their goal, put the pressure on and that is how they have scored their two goals in C1 so far. They play ball very well and defend well.”
The former FC Barcelona coach is not worried in terms of motivation, even if PSV Eindhoven does not have the cachet of City or Bayern: “They have had an incredible start to the season (nine wins in nine matches, 29 goals scored and 6 conceded, Editor’s note). It’s a competition that all players want to play in and it’s therefore very easy to prepare for these matches.”. Note that PSV has several old acquaintances from the championship in its ranks, former Niçois Walter Benitez in goals and Frenchman Olivier Boscagli in defense. On the bench? Peter Bosz, ex-OL coach. For the rest, let us cite the Dutch international attackers Johan Bakayoko and Luuk de Jong.
