• Paris and Nantes will face Aalborg and Barcelona respectively on Saturday in Cologne in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

  • Jérôme Fernandez and François-Xavier Houlet, two specialists, give their opinion on the chances of the two French representatives in the most prestigious European Cup.

They were three in 2018, they will be two this weekend.

Paris and Nantes will represent France at the Final Four of the Champions League in Cologne.

The reigning French champion will face the Danes of Aalborg at 3 p.m. on Saturday, then the HBCN, 3rd in Lidl Starligue, will have to achieve the feat against Barcelona.

Do the two French clubs have the weapons to afford a second final of the most prestigious European Cup (PSG finalist in 2017 and Nantes in 2018)?

What will be the key to these two semi-finals?

And who is most likely to make the final on Sunday?

Jérôme Fernandez and François-Xavier Houlet, ex-internationals and current consultants for (respectively) Eurosport and beIN Sport, give their opinion and their prognosis.

The lethal weapon for PSG and HBCN

In Paris, "clearly, the return of Nikola Karabatic [victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee at the end of the year] will count", according to Jérome Fernandez. “Psychologically, her presence is very reassuring, it frees others. The opponents do not look at PSG in the same way. Even if he only plays for twenty minutes, it's not the same Paris. For FX Houlet, it is the other half-center Luc Steins who holds some of the keys to the future of the capital club this weekend. “Paris has never been as strong as it is now, with this Dutch center-half. Even if I think that it is the Parisian collective which is strong as a whole, Steins, it is a lethal weapon. "

In Nantes, unsurprisingly, the number 1 asset is called Emil, is 24 years old and plays in goal.

“Nielsen can be very strong, very surprising, for Houlet.

But, even if he is at the top, that does not guarantee a victory for the HBCN.

"Fernandez does not go four ways:" If PSG had a goalkeeper like him, he would be a favorite in the Champions League.

Nantes clearly owes its place in the Final Four to Nielsen.

"

The Achilles heel of PSG and Nantes

“Unfortunately, it's been since the start of the season, the level of goalkeepers in Paris, regrets Fernandez. Yann [Genty] and Vincent [Gérard] do the job in the league, but as soon as things go up a notch, in the Champions League, it's more complicated. It's an open secret, it's the weak point of PSG. "Houlet detects more" a doubt "about this pair than a" flaw ". “We know they are capable of great performance, but they are not consistent enough to say that they will be there this weekend! "

In Nantes, the two specialists fear "the irregularity in the game", according to Houlet, or "the holes often ten minutes in each game of the Nantes", for Fernandez.

“In all the matches that I have commented on for Nantes, there has always been a moment when the attack blocked.

The smallest hole against Barcelona, ​​you pay cash.

The Spaniards take advantage of the slightest period of hesitation.

"Despite Lazarov (41), Gurbindo (33) or Feliho (38), the" H "could pay" his youth and inexperience at this level ", according to the former captain of the Blues.

Which club is best placed to pass?

The two former handball players do not hesitate.

Paris is the huge favorite of its semi-final and Nantes will have to achieve a monumental feat to play a second Final Four.

“PSG, ​​sincerely, I have no doubts,” even believes Houlet, who is almost already planning a final against… Barcelona.

Fernandez also sees "Paris pass the semi-final" and find Barça in the final on Sunday.

And in the final?

"PSG has never been so close to the truth compared to previous years," says Houlet.

They have never had so many assets.

“Especially since the return at the end of May of Nikola Karabatic.

Sport

HBC Nantes: After "eleven magnificent years at" H "and twenty years of career", Rock Feliho says stop (in tears)

Sport

Champions League: Nantes inherits worst draw with Barcelona, ​​Paris will play Aalborg

  • Paris

  • Champions League

  • Nantes

  • HBC Nantes

  • Sport

  • PSG handball

  • Handball