Paris (AFP)

Its complex of "remountada" settled, Paris SG tackles a key sequence, with twice the reception of Lille and a trip to Lyon, which should allow it to establish its authority on the national level, provided it does not miss out. against Nantes, Sunday (9 p.m.).

Extensive menu.

Barça and the terrible comeback of four years ago (4-0, 1-6) digested, thanks to Wednesday's draw (1-1) in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League (4-1 at the go), the PSG can devote itself to the reconquest of its French throne.

The task is not as simple as in previous years.

Before the 29th day of Ligue 1, Paris (2nd, 60 pts) is two points behind the leader Lille (62 pts), in danger in Monaco (4th, 55 pts).

Also engaged in the title race, Lyon (3rd, 60 pts) did not do better than a draw in Reims on Friday (1-1), but OL keep in mind that they will receive PSG next Sunday.

"There are still direct confrontations so everything is still open and possible," said Lyon technician Rudi Garcia.

This sentence also applies to the Parisians: in addition to going to Groupama Stadium, they will host Lille on April 3, after the international break, for another crucial shock.

- "difficult match" -

As if that were not enough, Lille will be on their program from Wednesday, but in the eighth of the Coupe de France, a competition where Mauricio Pochettino's men have no room for error.

"At PSG, we only think of going as far as possible in all competitions. It is our goal, we have no excuses," said the Argentine coach on Saturday.

These three big matches will shape the national record of the Red and Blue, which will follow, on April 6 or 7, with their quarter-final of the Champions League.

But before, there is Nantes, penultimate, against which victory will be mandatory.

"It's a difficult match," said Pochettino, especially since he arrived four days after qualifying against Barça, very emotional.

This is a new "final" for the title, as the technician repeats, who wants to win the last twelve matches of the championship.

Since the surprise defeat against Monaco (2-0), his team has had two successes (Dijon, Bordeaux).

The match against Nantes could also allow the injured to find the ground or to continue their recovery.

Angel Di Maria, injured in the right thigh during the "Clasico" in Marseille (2-0), is already on the way home.

He played the last 25 minutes in Brest (3-0 in the Coupe de France) and the last half hour against Barça.

About "Fideo" (33 years old), he just extended his one-year contract on Friday, plus an optional year.

- Neymar still injured -

On the other hand, Neymar remains unavailable, he who injured an adductor muscle in Caen (L2), in the Coupe de France (1-0).

The Brazilian, who has only partially resumed collective training, missed both sets against Barça, his former club.

PSG seems to want to take no risk for its superstar, while a busy streak looms.

"It's difficult to predict a return date, because the recovery is different depending on the player. There is no relapse. We are happy with his progress, we hope that he will return quickly with the team", Pochettino explained.

The coach will also have to do without Alessandro Florenzi, Ander Herrera (ischios) and Moise Kean (Covid-19), in addition to long-time injured Juan Bernat (knee).

But that doesn't change the fact that the club have "no excuses" for not delivering a solid performance on Sunday, as he recalled.

From this perspective, against Barcelona, ​​"we suffered together," said Marco Verratti on RMC.

"We wanted to defend well, but what I regret is that with the ball we could do better," added the Italian.

He and his teammates have a great opportunity to put things right.

© 2021 AFP