Finishing second has been an unfamiliar feeling for Paris Saint-Germain over the previous 12 months, however they had been soundly overwhelmed by Chelsea in final summer season’s Fifa Club World Cup last. The defeat appeared to sting, judging by the post-match scuffles which broke out, with Blues ahead Joao Pedro claiming the Parisians “lost their heads”. However, PSG head coach Luis Enrique, who confronted the Brazilian in New Jersey, insisted final week that “there is no feeling of revenge for us – this is a different competition”.
Facing Premier League rivals is, by now, nothing new for PSG, with this match their thirteenth towards English opposition for the reason that begin of final season. They’ve had a transparent edge in these encounters and eradicated Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on the way in which to successful the Champions League for the primary time. The French aspect haven’t fairly hit these heights within the present marketing campaign, with Friday’s defeat by Monaco their seventh loss in all competitions. However, useful scheduling from Ligue 1 means they will get further relaxation earlier than subsequent week’s second leg, with their recreation towards Nantes postponed – a call which hasn’t gone down notably properly with their relegation-threatened opponents.
Did you recognize?
PSG have misplaced simply two of their final 14 European matches (W8, D4).
They have the second youngest common beginning XI on this season’s Champions League (24 years, 195 days), bettered by solely Chelsea (24 years, 31 days).
The 3-1 defeat to Monaco on Friday was their fourth loss for the reason that flip of the 12 months.
Player to observe: Matvei Safonov
The 27-year-old Russian has been ever-present within the final six weeks, having usurped summer season signing Lucas Chevalier after recovering from a damaged hand. He was injured throughout December’s shoot-out win towards Flamengo within the Intercontinental Cup last, when he saved 4 spot-kicks. Luis Enrique says he has by no means coached a keeper so good at studying the place penalty takers will hit their pictures.
