From our special correspondent in Lisbon,
Now that Paris has done the hardest by leaving Leipzig in the Champions League semi-finals, the players have earned the right to think about the name of the opponent they would prefer to challenge on Sunday, in the final. Well, it's not like they have a say in the script. They will be, like us, at the mercy of the copy made by the 22 actors on the lawn of the Estadio de Alvalade. And then even if they could choose, they would never tell us who they chose. It's like that, it's in the codes of the middle, we will never let go "I prefer to run into so and so because he is less good than stuff", even if you are a finalist at Roland Garros and so is Richard Gasquet and stuff, Rafael Nadal.
Illustration with PSG captain Thiago Silva after the meeting. “It doesn't matter who we're going to face, OL or Bayern. It will be complicated for Bayern I think, OL are playing well. “Same opinion with Thomas Tuchel, even if he allows himself to put a little pressure on the broad Bavarian shoulders. “I'm just going to enjoy watching the game tomorrow. This is our reward. Bayern are favorites, but it's football. It's not easy against Lyon… ”
A priori, it's not super simple either against a war machine capable of sticking eight to you if you are half asleep on the ground, but let's move on. Let's take them at their word and help the Parisians determine who would be the best second finalist for them.
The pro-OL arguments
Less strong on paper: We are not afraid to say aloud what France thinks softly! Eh yes. Bayern are much stronger on paper. The guys have bodybuilding machines with velvet feet and they would have us believe that OL are at the same level? That does not mean that Lyon has no chance, that nay. In a dry match, anything is possible. And clearly, instead of Paris, we would take the bus to go and burn candles on the side of Fatima, praying for Lyon to redo the blow of Juve and City.
Less experienced: We don't know about you, but we hesitate. Between a team that has ten Champions League finals (five won, five lost) and another inexperienced at this level of competition, it is difficult to choose ...
Possibility of depriving Aulas of Europe once again: Beyond any sporting consideration, by facing Lyon in the final, the Parisians would have the opportunity to deprive Jean-Michel Aulas of the European Cup for the last time in 2020-21. Like that, for the plume. And because fundamentally, he does not deserve to qualify for the next Champions League thanks to a physical freshness of his players, a direct consequence of this premature interruption of the 2019-20 season that he has criticized so much. You have to know how to assume your positions.
The pro-Bayern arguments
More prestigious opponent: Stronger, more historic, more stuff still. Beating Bayern in the final would bring a little more consistency to Paris Saint-Germain's very Europa League journey. Because if it is to get room after winning a cut at a discount in a new format and without having faced any club of world scale, you might as well focus on the Champions Trophy.
The opportunity to revel in Rummenigge's seum: Yes, relations between PSG and the Bavarian president have warmed up in recent months. But the Parisian fans very probably want to see their team beat their Bayern to hear them sing the verse of the nouveau riche which unbalances the market and distorts the game. It is true that it is unfair for small non-profit associations like Bayern.
Lets avoid a second Coupe de la Ligue final in 20 days: We didn't let the mustache haircut die so that it wouldn't come to haunt us even a month later. This is arguably the best argument in favor of a Bavarian qualification.
Sport
Leipzig - PSG: The chess game between German coaches ended, Tuchel outclassed Nagelsmann
- Lyon
- Sport
- Champions League
- Bayern Munich
- OL
- PSG