The PSG players met one last time this Monday on the pitch of the Allianz Arena Munich for a training session which took place in still mild weather for this time of year and in a joyful atmosphere.
President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and sports advisor Luis Campos were at the edge of the pitch to attend the final rehearsal. Despite the importance of this shock against Bayern for the 5th day of the Champions League, Luis Enrique’s men showed relaxation but displayed determination at all times. Present at a press conference, Vitinha illustrated this rage to win and displayed real ambition when facing the leader of the Bundesliga.
“It’s the biggest motivation to play a Champions League match even more against Bayern,” admitted the Portuguese midfielder, very convincingly in front of the journalists gathered in the auditorium of the German enclosure. It’s a childhood dream to play in this competition. The motivation is incredibly high. We must remember the positive: we must win, we must win. This is not a decisive match because we will not be eliminated in case of defeat. But we want to win every match here at PSG. We don’t come to expect a result, we come to win. »
A result imperative that Luis Enrique also recognized as his team is in 25th place and has four points on the clock after four days. “Tomorrow we will follow our usual line but we will have to go further than what we are used to,” insisted the Spanish technician. It is very clear that my team and that of Bayern are very similar but tomorrow there will only be one ball, someone will have to suffer. We have to have a good result to qualify. We made it complicated on our own. Football is only one thing: goals scored, and for that we have room for improvement. »
A classic defense and midfielder
If Gonçalo Ramos, back in the group, should eventually resolve some offensive problems, he is still too tight to start a match of this scale. Marco Asensio having not given satisfaction during the last meetings, Luis Enrique could be tempted to install Ousmane Dembélé in a role of false number 9, as he did against Olympique de Marseille this season or Real Sociedad in last March. This solution would make it possible to thwart the opposing pressure.
“We can get rid of the opponent’s pressure in different ways. Everyone has their solution. I will choose mine tomorrow,” explained Luis Enrique. This tactical change would push Kang-In Lee towards the right lane and Bradley Barcola would keep his preferred position on the left.
The other major issue in the starting lineup lined up against the Bavarians is on the other side of the field. Who, Matvey Safonov or Gianluigi Donnarumma, will be favored by Luis Enrique? Questioned several times, the PSG coach did not wish to say more, true to form. “My goal is for all the players to be ready to play all the matches,” he simply insisted. The Asturian had chosen to start the Russian against teams – Lens and Toulouse – who were pressing high. Bayern are used to playing like this, which could suit the former Krasnodar goalkeeper. Replacing Friday against TFC, Donnarumma is sure of his strengths and remains hopeful of starting. A decision will be taken on Tuesday a few hours before kick-off to resolve this burning issue.
The rest of the team should not contain any surprises: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho and Nuno Mendes, recovered from his sprained ankle, are expected in defense. In the middle, we should find the trio composed of Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha and Joao Neves, who had already started against Arsenal and Atlético de Madrid.
The probable composition of PSG: Safonov (or Donnarumma) – Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap.), Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves – Lee, Dembélé, Barcola.
