Paris (AFP)
After FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Paris finds itself at the foot of a new Everest in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m.) with a semi-final first leg against its alter ego Manchester City, the last peak that separates PSG from a new one. coveted final.
The Parisian is projected in a Wednesday on the "night of the stars" to come, L'Equipe expects a "big show" because of the "offensive power of the two teams".
"Wealthy clubs, potential Golden Balls, star managers: this Champions League semi-final is a tremendous excitement", sums up the sports daily.
When it comes to competing at the Parc des Princes, Parisians and Citizens have indeed a lot in common, from the status of "nouveau riche" to the national trophies they have been accumulating for ten years.
But despite the hundreds of millions of euros spent by Qatar (at the head of PSG) and the United Arab Emirates (at the controls of City), the "Cup with big ears" is still lacking.
After the return match, next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, there will inevitably be a great unhappy one, both Parisians and Mancunians are convinced of being able to reach the Grail this season.
In the capital, the XXL course that led PSG to the last four (Manchester United and Leipzig in pool, then Barça and Bayern) gave birth to the myth of a team that never breaks in the face of adversity.
At the origin of the epic, three heroes: the prolific goalscorer Kylian Mbappé (7 goals in all competitions in April), the talented maestro Neymar and the impassable goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
The presence of this magical trio is enough to reassure the supporters, despite the uncertainties surrounding captain Marquinhos, who has not played since his right adductor injury in early April.
"We are + relaxed + and confident in our qualities, as we were against Bayern," assured coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Highlights in the Champions League, almost empty infirmary, stars in great shape, reinforced status after his refusal to participate in the Super League project ... The 2020 finalist seems to have reached his best level, at the best time.
- City recovered from Lyon -
Opposite, Manchester City shares the same optimism, driven by exceptional results in 2021: Kevin de Bruyne's teammates have won 27 of the 30 matches played this calendar year.
They opened their record this spring, with the League Cup won Sunday in front of Tottenham (1-0), while waiting for the title of champion of England which they could seal from next weekend.
By adding the C1, the "Sky Blues" are aiming for a hat-trick that would make their trainer Pep Guardiola a little more legendary.
The Spanish technician has won nine trophies since his arrival in 2016 on the banks of the Irwell, but not the Champions League, where he accumulates disappointments.
Last year, in Lisbon in the quarter-finals, the surprise Lyon had deprived him of the last four (3-1).
In 2019, at the same stage of the competition, it was Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham who played a nasty trick on him.
Against Lyon, "it was a big disappointment, the biggest of my career. It has helped us a lot for this season. We are determined to go far, we are much better," said midfielder Riyad Mahrez.
Between "Pep" and "Poche", it is also an old story, the two coaches having faced each other 18 times, with a clear advantage for the Catalan (10 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats).
For Guardiola, the key will be to be yourself and to have fun, in spite of the enormous stake which surrounds the meeting: "The Parisians have everything, there is not a good way to defend against them. The best way to minimize their impact is to impose your game, "and therefore gain possession.
Against Bayern, PSG had coped well with leaving the ball to the opponent, operating with sharp counter-attacks.
The same efficiency could open the doors to the final, against Real Madrid or Chelsea.
Tuesday, Karim Benzema allowed the "White House" of Madrid, shaken at home by the "Blues" of the omnipresent N'Golo Kanté, to obtain a 1-1 draw before the second leg next Wednesday in London.
© 2021 AFP