Paris (AFP)

Thomas Tuchel and Thiago Silva in the final of the Champions League with Chelsea, Unai Emery (Villarreal) and Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) qualified for that of the Europa League ... They left Paris SG through the back door, but today 'Yes, they are aiming for a European trophy.

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Thiago Silva has not forgotten Paris

"I will be a Parisian for life," Thiago Silva said in November 2019, in an interview with France Football magazine, the front cover of which showed him leaning on the counter of a cafe, sipping an espresso.

Holder of a French passport for two years, the Brazilian defender has taken root at PSG (2012-2020), where he is in the top 10 players with the most appearances (8th place, 315 matches).

"I love this club, maybe I'll come back, but not as a player," he slipped after the C1 final lost against Bayern (1-0) in August, his last match with the Reds and Blue.

But while waiting for a possible return, the "Monstro" (36 years old) still has to digest the episode of his departure, which left him bitter.

Too early, too anonymous ...

"The sadness is that I am the captain who won the most titles with PSG and that I have an exit through the back door," he regretted at the microphone of Canal + in December.

Today, he recalls that he has lost none of his qualities with the "Blues", whose very solid defense he orchestrates which left Real Madrid no chance in the semi-final of C1 (1-1 , 2-0).

In the final, he will find Manchester City, striker of ... PSG in the previous round (2-1, 2-0).

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Tuchel, the revenge of the tall blond

For coach Thomas Tuchel, the break with PSG was the most precipitous: after two and a half years of service, it was done on December 23, head-to-head with sporting director Leonardo.

“Professionally, I had a shitty Christmas, but I think I had the best present,” he laughed over British radio.

Since he crossed the Channel, the Swabian technician has never left his smile.

He made a successful debut for Chelsea, who have lost just twice in 24 games since joining in mid-January.

Compact defense, mentality ... the leg of the German is already visible, when his successor in Paris Mauricio Pochettino asks for time to put his stamp.

First coach to know two consecutive C1 finals in two different clubs, Tuchel "has nothing against Paris", he assured RMC Sport.

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Cavani still scores

Like Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani did not experience last summer the start that his status as the top scorer in the history of PSG (200 goals) granted him.

Worse, he left the capital in June, without having extended for the "Final 8" of C1.

The management preferred to bet on Mauro Icardi, younger (28 years against 34).

A year later, the chronic poor form of the Argentine, who could leave Paris at the next transfer window, contrasts with the success of the Uruguayan with Manchester United.

The "Matador" scored a brace in the first leg (6-2) and in the return (2-3) to eliminate Roma and qualify for the final of the Europa League.

With 14 goals in all competitions, he posted a better performance than his successor (12).

"He is more than a fox of surfaces and a good scorer. He has been playing for so long that he exudes a lot of poise and calm", explained his coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who wants to see Cavani stay , who only signed for one season (plus an optional one).

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Emery is still the man of the C3

In the final in Gdansk, Cavani will find his former coach at PSG (2016-18) Unai Emery.

Three-time winner of the C3 with Seville (2014, 2015, 2016), the Basque has reached two other finals since leaving Paris, with Arsenal (2019, defeat), and therefore Villarreal today.

In the French capital, he will remain as one of the men of the "remount" suffered in 2017 against FC Barcelona (4-0, 1-6).

But Emery is tough, he who has just eliminated his former club Arsenal (2-1, 0-0).

“It's a sporting revenge,” he said.

"I'm starting to like it (this competition)."

© 2021 AFP