Even if Christophe Galtier does not want to hear about the first real test for PSG “it was you the media who announced this but I think the first real test has already taken place against Juventus Turin (2-1)”. PSG can still expect shocks this Wednesday in the Champions League by attacking Benfica Lisbon, imperial since the start of the season and carried by the boiling public of the La Luz stadium.
A less flamboyant PSG for a few matches
After two successes in two games in Group H, the capital club and its triplet of stars Messi-Neymar-Mbappé have started their European campaign perfectly from an accounting point of view. All the lights are also green on the national scene where the champion of France, undefeated in 9 matches in Ligue 1, quietly leads the dance. But the flamboyant productions of the first weeks quickly gave way to more messy outings, which raise questions about Christophe Galtier’s tactical options.
In these conditions, the trip to Portugal is a trap for the Parisians, who will almost qualify for the round of 16 in the event of victory but who will have to show solidity to avoid a bad surprise. against a Portuguese formation supported by more than 60,000 supporters and victorious in 13 of their 14 matches in all competitions.
It will be necessary to have the capacity to play under pressure, estimated Galtier on Tuesday. Benfica will press us on the first reminders. When we have the opportunities, we will have to be much more efficient than we have been lately. The stadium is pushing very, very hard, but I have players who have experience with that. With concentration and determination, you can also play very well.
For his part, the Lisbon counterpart Roger Schmidt says he has no problem motivating his players, given the context. “In this stadium, this atmosphere, against one of the best teams in the world, everything is possible. We are confident. At home, in a big stadium, we have our chances”did he declare.
Verratti, an expected return
Fortunately for PSG, it can always count on its three stars to hide its possible weaknesses, at least at this stage of the test. Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, despite recent criticism of his club positioning, continue to flare up, while Lionel Messi, twirling again, seems more than ever on the way to regaining a level worthy of his Barcelona years:
He is well in his head, very happy, says Galtier. He animates the game and is very generous. He used to score a lot of goals but last season he had extenuating circumstances. There, he regains a taste for scoring. He has prepared well, the relationship he has with his partners in the training sessions suggests that he is happy and when he is happy he performs and regains the standards he had throughout of her career.
But the key to the match could lie in the return of Marco Verratti. The Italian midfielder, hit in the calf on September 18, is operational again and should start the game. With the “Little Owl”, the PSG game suddenly takes on a whole new dimension. “Marco has 90 minutes in his legs, explained Galtier. He is ready. He no longer has any physical problems.”
With AFP