INTERVIEW
After three successive failures in the knockout stages of the Champions League, PSG will finally play the quarter-finals on August 12 against Atalanta Bergamo. Arsène Wenger, invited Sunday morning on Europe 1, delivered his analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of the capital club. "The star policy is necessary, with Neymar and Mbappé, so they are lucky to have extraordinary potential", praises the former Arsenal coach, before showing a little more reserved on the current level of the Parisian workforce.
"Afterwards, I honestly find them a little less strong than they were 3-4 years ago. In the overall structure, they were perhaps a little more complete 3-4 years ago, at all times. The competition (within the team) was also stronger ", judge Arsène Wenger, at the microphone of Charles Villeneuve. PSG will still leave their quarter-final favorites against Atalanta, with the goal of qualifying for the first time for the semi-finals of the Champions League since the club was acquired by the Qataris in 2011.
"Manchester City and PSG are the two favorites on their potential"
A few days before this crucial quarter-final, Arsène Wenger still placed the Parisians among the best teams in Europe. "I think that there is an overall fall in the European level of very, very, very high level and that they are still among the two, three best in Europe", concedes the Alsatian. "For me, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the two favorites (of the Champions League) on their potential", even goes so far as to estimate Arsène Wenger.
But he still warned the Parisians for the rest of the competition. "Afterwards, when you play in a match against Atlético Madrid (potential opponent of PSG in the semi-finals) or against Atalanta Bergamo, anything can happen."
Arsène Wenger is "practically sure" that Mbappé will play against Atalanta. While Kylian Mbappé, injured in the ankle, is almost forfeited for the quarter-final against Atalanta Bergamo, Arsène Wenger wants to be much more optimistic. "I saw what happened to him. I think he will play in 3 weeks, and I think he will too. Something tells me that, and I am used to watching top athletes. when they are really badly injured. I think there is a form of confidence, watching him well. I am pretty sure he will play against Atalanta Bergamo ",