The mood of alarm and anxiety in Paris
gTwo weeks before the Champions League match against Bayern Munich There is also a state of anxiety among French champions Paris Saint-Germain about world champion Lionel Messi. And wrote the sports newspaper “L’Equipe” after the sober performance of the star group in the 1-1 draw against Stade Reims on Sunday evening, “From champagne to sparkling wine. Bigger doubts.” With four points from four matches since the start of the year, PSG’s points average is just as inadequate as that of Bayern, who visit the first leg of their last-16 tie at Prinzenpark in Paris on February 14.
“Luckily, Bayern are not in the shape of their lives. But hoping your opponent is in worse shape cannot be the best way to qualify for this competition.” With 48 points, PSG are only three points ahead of RC Lens, who were beaten at the start of the year. It’s enough when you’re at PSG,” he says, looking back at the results of the past few matches.
“As a coach, you cannot be happy with what is happening. I have excellent players who have not been able to reach this level since the beginning of the year,” added Galtier, who wants his stars out of their “comfort zone”. Only Brazilian Neymar has scored in the provisional lead in four matches Paris Saint-Germain Even the duel with Bayern, including tough matches at Olympique de Marseille and Monaco.
It is likely that the capital club will remain active in the transfer market, especially center back Milan Skriniar intermilan in conversation. There are limitations to Financial Fair Play. The coach likes to get reinforcements when there is a shootout. “I don’t know if that will happen,” Galtier said, also referring to the departure of Pablo Sarabia to Wolverhampton.
The powder keg before the explosion
The traditional Italian clubs Juventus, Turin and Milan are in deep crisis. On Sunday, Serie A champions Juventus lost 2-0 to Monza Calcio, the promoted Serie A team owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. “Juventus fell to their knees. The old lady has disappeared,” commented the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Milan is in a similarly bad situation. The Italian champion lost 5-2 to his American counterpart, Sassuolo, who ranked 16th in the standings table. The Lombards received their second consecutive severe bankruptcy. Last week they lost 4-0 to Lazio Roma. “Milan, this is how everything collapses! The club is a powder keg before the explosion, nerves on edge. Coach Stefano Pioli is on edge,” said Corriere dello Sport.
Only table-leaders SSC Napoli, who are heading for their first scudetto since 1990, have reason to be happy. The Neapolitans celebrated a 2-1 victory over Roma under Jose Mourinho on Sunday night. The advantage over chaser Inter Milan is 13 points. Naples could no longer be captured. Roma also had to capitulate to Vesuvius after a great game.”