Paris (AFP)

Deprived of his superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, and still traumatized by his latest European failures, Paris SG attack without fanfare his campaign Champions League against Real Madrid on Wednesday (21:00). But the PSG, under pressure, must already win.

The Parc des Princes likes everything that shines except when it comes to the visiting team: apart from Bayern Munich and Liverpool these past two seasons, PSG has always shown difficulties against opponents of his caliber.

Before the humiliation against Manchester United last spring, the merengue coach Zinédine Zidane had made a nightmare for fans in 2018, winning 2-1 in a return round of 16 which reminded them of how It was a long way to the top of the Old Continent.

Today, at the end of a summer that upset his organization chart and his locker room, the Parisian club low profile before approaching his Everest, to the point that Thomas Tuchel remained on Tuesday very cautious when mentioning his objectives: "It's game after game," said the German coach.

The tone displayed seems out of step with the great ambitions of the Qatari owner with unlimited means, who dreams of conquering titles, and quickly. But it is appropriate for this match against Real, because Paris will have to leave his jewels in the safe.

- Without the "MCN", with Icardi? -

Neymar will have to watch the first of his two games, while strikers Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, injured, have forfeited.

Without his formidable "MCN", the coach faces a big headache for his attack: who Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting or Mauro Icardi can hold the house in the axis? The Cameroonian, usual lining, has started his season (3 goals in L1) but has never played a game of this level with PSG, while the Argentine rookie is out of pace.

"It's a big, big challenge, it's also a great opportunity to show that we can deliver a good collective performance, I think we're ready for that," said Swabia, who is counting on a "spirit "Tenfold to compete against the Madrid ogre. "Of course they are better with Neymar, Cavani and Mbappé, but they are very good even without the three," echoed Zidane who praised the qualities of a team that "progresses each year".

But in Paris, if we prefer to avoid this year any shattering statement, the pressure remains high, and a defeat on Wednesday could do good damage. In front row, Tuchel, who has not yet managed to develop an attractive game to his team, could bear the brunt of the waves of a new European failure, before a difficult trip to Lyon Sunday in Ligue 1.

At the accounting level, the PSG would be well inspired to take points because looming, the next day, a match under high tension in Turkey against Galatasaray who dreams of playing spoilsports.

- Benzema in shape -

Madrid side, it is the "Decimocuarta", a 14th C1, which occupies the spirits. But Zidane, back in savior in March, must first rebuild the Real after a dark season that saw the prestigious club lose without glory his triple crown against Ajax, from the 8th finals.

His "French Revolution", as the press called it, however, comes up against a cascade of wounded and suspended that limits his choices. Between Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Isco, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Nacho, the "White House" will pass its first real test of solidity without several of its pillars.

"I think our start is good, even if we can do better, we can and we will have to improve at all levels, we have found ourselves, but we can do better. it's the same thing, "said Zizou.

Attackers Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema in great form and Gareth Bale - who could be tenured together for the first time - nevertheless keep a constant threat to the goal of their former teammate Keylor Navas, now installed in the Paris cage. But between these two teams in reconstruction, only one will shine on Wednesday.

© 2019 AFP