“PSG really has all the assets to make the difference against Dortmund,” believes Valdo

According to the club’s former Brazilian midfielder, “PSG really have a lot of players capable of making a difference” in the Champions League semi-final.

Legendary number 10 of Paris Saint-Germain in the 90s, ex-Brazilian midfielder Valdo still closely follows the club with whom he played 153 matches over four seasons. Present at the Parc des Princes during the draw against Le Havre (3-3), the 1994 French champion spoke for franceinfo of the future double confrontation between PSG and Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the Champions League .

franceinfo: how do you feel about this Champions League semi-final?

Valdo: It will be a very complicated, very difficult match. Dortmund is clearly not won, even if people think it will be easy. At home, they are very strong, it is always a difficult team to maneuver. It is no coincidence that they finished at the top of the group, ahead of Paris. You have to take it easy, do the job and you have to remember that this is only the first step. There are two matches.

How do you judge this PSG team?

I like it a lot, when you look at the squad, the coach… It’s a team that likes to play forward. Paris really has all the assets to make a difference. But you will have to be very careful.

What exactly are their strengths?

Today, when we look at Paris Saint-Germain, we see that they are more solid. And when you are more solid, when you play more as a team, you are inevitably closer to success. And the role of a coach is really to highlight all of his players. And today, when we look from the outside, we really see that the whole squad is ready, no matter who starts the match. Because even those who return know what they have to do. They are able to make a difference in a very short time. For me, the most important thing about this team is really the collective. When you see all the players who have already come through, there were really great teams, but not a solid team collectively. And when there’s that, it’s really hard to beat. Before, we might have had big stars, but the opposing clubs said to themselves: “We will try to neutralize this one or that one“And it was good, because when you have too many stars, unconsciously, you have to give them the ball. That’s why I’m not surprised by the season that PSG is having.

Who is the player you like to watch?

I really like Warren Zaire-Emery. Vitinha also having a very good season. In Portugal we really expected him to get his head out of the water a little, and there, that’s the case, he’s strong. Finally Kylian Mbappé, no need to talk about it (laughter). Paris Saint-Germain really has a lot of players capable of making a difference.