The last time PSG visited the North, they conceded Lens (1-0) the first of their four Ligue 1 defeats this season. The other three setbacks were recorded against other formations which occupy the first half of the classification: in Monaco (3-2) and especially at the Parc des Princes against two candidates for the title, Marseille (1-0) and Lyon (1 -0). The trip this Sunday (9 p.m.) to the Lille leader is therefore a new perilous meeting.
How to explain the Parisian weakness in the face of the best students in the championship? And, above all, do these defeats have a common denominator? “Yes,” Eric Rabesandratana, the former Parisian defender, responds without hesitation. Because in fact, you are always dependent on your stars, whether they are there but in bad shape, or whether they are not there. As you have no background, you depend on individualities. “
However, as the consultant of France Bleu Paris underlines it “if you are not nickel in your operation, your collective, you are in difficulty against the big ones, because this type of adversary has the weapons to fight on the offensive plan “. Eric Rabesandratana explains that OL are far from having impressed him during his victory at the Parc des Princes. “But Lyon was organized, serious and that was enough to win while, he assures, against a 100% PSG, this Lyon would have taken a lot of goals. “
“There is no playing field at PSG”
The problem this season is that failures against the big names could just as easily come against less prestigious opponents. “Look at the match against Lorient (2-0) !, launches Rabesandratana. If the Lorientais win their two face-to-face, it’s 2-0 for them at half-time. And you say to yourself: shit it’s Lorient. But that’s normal in fact! Because it underlines a strong trend, valid even more against the big ones. “
This dependence on Neymar and Mbappé is not new. “In fact, Rabesandratana points out, it’s like you’re surviving all the time. Take the Final 8 of the Champions League: the quarter against Atalanta (Editor’s note: won 2-1 after goals in the 90th and 90th + 3) erase everything else but if you lose it… You feel like they’re still on a tight rope. It’s Neymar at the top who takes you to the final. I am not trying to push myself but it is a reality: there is no playing field at PSG and it is still a problem. “
Thomas Tuchel defends himself against this supposed weakness in the face of big guys in particular. “I especially have the impression that the others understand that we are in a more important state of fatigue, mentally and physically, underlines the German coach. It gives them more strength. We have a lot of injuries, absences. We have to manage the situation after the Champions League. We can feel that we are tired. That’s not an excuse. It is reality. “
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And it is therefore in this context, and without Neymar, that Paris prepare to face Lille, “typically the adversary against whom you will be in danger”, according to Rabesandratana. “I have the impression that we are ready for that”, reassures Tuchel. It would be better for him if he was right.
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