Paris (AFP)
After his fall in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain, who has just extended Neymar, must win in Rennes, Sunday (9 p.m.) for the 36th day of Ligue 1, to keep in touch with the Lille leader and avoid losing everything In a week.
Relegated to four lengths by the victory of Losc in Lens (3-0) in the North derby, PSG has no right to error if it wants to keep a chance to save its crown.
After the disillusionment at Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Champions League (2-1, 2-0 defeats), the Parisian club can still lose a trophy that he was chasing ... And on Wednesday he went to Montpellier for a semi-final of the Coupe de France and another title to conquer.
Afterwards, only Ligue 1 will remain at PSG, with a match at the Parc against Reims and one in Brest, while Lille, at the same time, will receive Saint-Etienne and go to Angers.
Mauricio Pochettino's men no longer have their destiny in hand.
All they can do is win their last three games hoping for a "Mastiffs" misstep.
The success of the partners of Burak Yilmaz, author of a double, "forces us to win tomorrow to reduce the gap," admits the Parisian coach.
"They must win two matches to be champions, the three of us to stay in the race. Winning tomorrow is fundamental," continues "Poche".
- "Emotional management" -
Indeed, a defeat of Paris in Rennes would offer two match points to Lille ...
For their part, the Bretons absolutely need a victory to stay in the race for 5th place in Europe.
They are two lengths from Marseille, which occupies it, and their schedule is formidable with, behind, a trip to Monaco, which defends its place in the Champions League, and the reception of Nîmes, who will perhaps play in the last. day his survival in L1.
Paris must not mull over its European defeat.
"The disappointment was very big in the locker room," Pochettino admits, "but the next day we were in training. We have great players who have mastered emotional management, they know what to do."
If its players have to respond on the field in Rennes, PSG have already started a backstage response with the long-awaited extension of "Ney's" contract, until 2025.
"Neymar's extension says a lot about the club's ambition for today and tomorrow, in the short, medium and long term," said Pochettino.
"The whole PSG family is happy", insists the coach, before talking about the game immediately: "Our big challenge for the future, with the talent of our players, is to behave as a team and to put it at the service of the team. But it's easier to build with players like Neymar ".
- Verratti package -
Controlled by the Mancuniens and ineffective on Tuesday, the Brazilian must distribute some sparks of his genius to help his team win in Rennes.
No reaction to be expected on the other hand from Kylian Mbappé.
Deprived of the semi-final return by a contracture in the right calf, the striker is suspended for the trip to Brittany.
Midfielder Marco Verratti, hit in the right knee, is also forfeited.
Side extension of Mbappé's contract, negotiations are less advanced than with "Ney", but Paris still hopes to keep its jewel, whose lease expires in a year.
Off the field, PSG continues to grow in notoriety.
He announced that he entered the top 50 most valued sports franchises in the world, with the strongest progression in this ranking for five years, ahead of the Los Angeles Rams (NFL, American football) and Liverpool.
The club also announced this week a partnership with Prince Estate, which highlights the legacy of the musician who died five years ago.
A vinyl of his concert at the Parc des Princes or PSG and Prince branded clothes are also produced.
The notoriety of the club is progressing, but Paris especially needs titles to confirm it on the lawn ...
© 2021 AFP