Paris (AFP)
A week before the reception of Dortmund, Paris offers a test "Champions League level": in Lyon, who beat Juventus Turin in their round of 16 first leg, PSG Neymar will tweak its settings, Wednesday in half -final of the Coupe de France (9:10 p.m.).
What better opponent than a club capable of bringing down the Italian champion on the European scene to prepare for the most important match of its season? Before its round of 8 return on March 11 at the Parc des Princes, PSG has a golden opportunity to put itself in real conditions.
"I'm glad we have the opportunity to play a match like this, it's good for us," Parisian coach Thomas Tuchel said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, citing a shock from "Champions League level" which arrives "at the right time".
"Mentally, this is the time to prepare and observe who is capable of showing quality, managing a match with tension like this," he added, aware of the limits displayed by his players during the round of 16 first leg of C1 at the end of February.
Intensity at all times, engagement in duels, lucidity in the areas of truth ... All the missing ingredients in Dortmund (2-1 defeat) were implemented by Lyon against Juventus (1-0 victory) a few days more late.
A striking contrast between the undisputed leader of Ligue 1, scheduled for the final victory in C1, and a Lyonnais team, badly in point in championship but "which gained two big emotional matches" against Juve and Saint-Etienne "with a lot of trust, "warns Tuchel.
- Neymar back after his red -
First good news for Paris in its "Ascendada" operation: the reassuring performance against Dijon (4-0) on Saturday, with a double from Kylian Mbappé at the end. A necessary performance after a disastrous streak on and off the field between the Dortmund post-match and the match that followed against Bordeaux (4-3).
Second satisfaction: the return of Neymar. Suspended against Dijon after his red card received against Bordeaux, the Brazilian N. 10 will finally be able to get back into rhythm before the big meeting on March 11.
"Ney", who had set fire on the media level by declaring not to have "liked" to be preserved before the first round against Dortmund despite his injury to a rib, has he regained his senses? "He's calmer now," said Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, he ended up with a red card against Bordeaux. It was not good but that's how it is. He is going to play (Wednesday), the most important thing is that he take the rhythm, and that he is with us in this decisive phase. I have a feeling that he is ready, calm and confident, "he added.
Concerning Angel Di Maria, the other metronome of the Parisian attack, the precaution is put after his muscular alert against Dijon. "For Dortmund, there are no problems. The question is whether he plays (Wednesday against Lyon) or Strasbourg (Saturday in the league)," said his coach.
Another puzzle for the German technician, the use of Thomas Meunier and Marco Verratti against Lyon despite their planned absence against Dortmund. "It is possible that they are playing because tactically Lyon is another match than Dortmund," he said for his intentions.
The other files to follow concern two remote duels: which of Edinson Cavani or Mauro Icardi will accompany Kylian Mbappé at the forefront of the attack? Will Tanguy Kouassi still be preferred over Leandro Paredes to replace Marco Verratti? First elements of answers in Lyon.
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