Tel Aviv (AFP)
Paris SG, deprived of many executives including Neymar, and Lille, who has changed coaches, grope for the Champions Trophy, but this opening match of the season, Sunday in Tel Aviv (8:00 p.m.), falls to peak for two teams hungry for titles.
Before meeting in Israel, Parisians and Lille almost crossed paths in Faro (Portugal), where they played their last friendly match, two days apart.
Losc lost to FC Porto (2-0), 48 hours before PSG's draw against Sevilla FC (2-2) on Tuesday - results which speak volumes about their level of unpreparedness.
The two clubs are still recovering from the sporting earthquake of May 23, which saw, on the last day of Ligue 1, the "Mastiffs" dethrone PSG, three-time defending champion, by one point in advance.
On both sides, a new cycle has started this summer.
Between transfers, leave and resumption, nearly half of the holders of the match of April 3 won by Losc at the Parc des Princes (1-0) will miss.
In the North, the celebrations followed a hangover, with the departure to Nice of the charismatic technician Christophe Galtier, replaced by Jocelyn Gourvennec, a choice criticized by supporters.
Authors of a superb season, Mike Maignan (AC Milan) and Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester) have also left.
Other holders could follow, such as Renato Sanches or Jonathan Ikoné.
At the same time, a first reinforcement is still awaited, in particular a goalkeeper N.1.
"We only lost two players, certainly important, and we have a workforce with a lot of qualities. We are waiting to see who will arrive, but I am quiet," sweeps captain José Fonte.
- "No excuses" for PSG -
In Paris, the movement is in the opposite direction: the club has successfully recruited XXL, attracting Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi.
The leaders have learned the lesson of a mixed season, rotten by injuries, suspensions and defeats which have underlined the limits of its workforce.
"The second place in L1 and the semi-final of the Champions League (lost against Manchester City, Editor's note) left us with a bitter taste. We have revenge to take against ourselves," says coach Mauricio Pochettino.
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PSG has built a team capable of winning everything, but today, it is only the shadow of this sublime armada that is advancing towards Tel Aviv.
At Bloomfield Stadium, among the rookies, only Hakimi is expected as the holder, the others being on vacation or in the recovery phase.
Their absence is added to that of Neymar, Marquinhos, Angel di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Marco Verratti or Pablo Sarabia.
Uncertainty also hovers around Kylian Mbappé and Presnel Kimpembe, who have just resumed training after their failed Euro with the Blues.
“We have no excuses,” Pochettino cropped.
- Stability in the game in Lille -
The Argentinian has set the ambitious course of a season that he wants to write in letters of gold.
Losing a trophy that PSG has monopolized since 2013 is not part of its plans.
He relies on an unbeaten preparation (three wins, two draws) which saw goalkeeper Keylor Navas warming his gloves and striker Mauro Icardi scoring three times.
Quite the opposite of Lille, which won only one match in five.
"Now we have to turn the page on preparation and switch to competition, with more offensive realism," says Gourvennec, who admits difficulties in finishing.
But the new coach, for his first test, can rely on a stable base, around forwards Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David, among others.
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Moreover, he has worked to maintain the momentum initiated by his predecessor.
"We continue on the same game routine, it shows the great intelligence (of the coach, Editor's note)" for Fonte, who did not see a "difference".
"It's a real title that Lille have never won. If we have the opportunity to win, we will do everything for. It will be another trophy in the window," said the Portuguese defender.
© 2021 AFP