Paris Saint-Germain take on Borussia Dortmund in Germany on December 13 of their last group-stage recreation with extra than simply Champions League survival hanging within the steadiness.
In Group F, the one which had all eyes on it when the draw was made, issues couldn’t be tighter as PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan all nonetheless have the prospect to affix already-qualified Dortmund within the knockout phases.
A win for PSG would guarantee them of not solely qualifying however of topping the group as they presently sit second with seven factors, three behind Dortmund and two forward of Newcastle and Milan.
“The most important thing is to focus on ourselves,” mentioned Paris coach Luis Enrique.
“If we win, we’re going to finish first, but even if we lose, we could go through to the next phase. It’s so complicated, but I hope we can make it easier by winning.”
In the return fixture on matchday one, PSG’s marketing campaign received off to a flyer when Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi objectives ensured a 2-0 win, giving them a greater head-to-head document with the Germans ought to each side end the group degree on factors.
Since then, they’ve been up-and-down and a humiliating 4-1 away defeat to Newcastle and a 2-1 loss at Milan have been backed up by a 1-1 draw on matchday 5 towards the English outfit.
Although already assured of their place, the onus remains to be on Dortmund to keep away from defeat in the event that they want to guarantee prime spot and a greater draw for the following spherical.
“We want to get first spot and avoid the crazy good teams. We don’t want to go out in the round of 16,” mentioned Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
In the group’s different recreation, Newcastle’s first Champions League look in 20 years may finish early after they host seven-times winners Milan, with each side on 5 factors and needing victory to have any hope of qualifying.
– Knockouts or bust –
Fail to win and PSG will severely danger bowing out of Europe’s premier competitors on the first hurdle, that’s what is straight away at stake for coach Luis Enrique and his group.
Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took over PSG in 2011, the membership has by no means didn’t qualify from the group phases of the Champions League, reaching the semi-finals in 2021 and the ultimate the 12 months earlier than.
Back-to-back exits within the spherical of 16 the final two campaigns, partially, value coaches Mauricio Pochettino and Christophe Galtier their jobs.
And a good earlier exit this time period might be sufficient to persuade PSG’s hierarchy that 2015 Champions League-winning coach Luis Enrique is surplus to necessities on the Parc des Princes, after a blended begin to life in Paris for the Spaniard.
It is a love/hate relationship that PSG have with the Champions League. The membership needs it above all different titles and, thus far, it’s the just one to elude them since QSI’s takeover.
Star signings, each on the pitch and within the dugout, akin to Lionel Messi, Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel, have been introduced in for a sole goal that finally stays unfulfilled.
And painful defeats towards Barcelona in 2017, Manchester United in 2019, Real Madrid in 2022 and within the last towards Bayern Munich have traumatised the membership and its followers.
– The finish of the Mbappe saga? –
It is the worst stored secret in soccer that Real Madrid need the France captain, although thus far PSG have managed to carry onto their star asset. Another Champions League heartbreak may change this.
At the beginning of the season, Mbappe was initially frozen out of the primary group as he refused to increase his contract, earlier than an settlement was ultimately discovered between the 2 events.
Since then, he has been in sensational type in Ligue 1, scoring 15 objectives, and notching three strikes in Europe.
However, since profitable every thing else potential with the membership he joined in 2018, the striker might search lastly to place an finish to the infinite rumours relating to his future as he searches for European glory.
On a extra optimistic notice for PSG, breakout starlet Warren Zaire-Emery is again in rivalry after recovering from damage.
His performances have been one of many constant good factors of the French champions’ European marketing campaign, particularly in October’s 3-0 dwelling win towards Milan.
With their season doubtlessly hanging within the steadiness in midweek, PSG will want all their stars to align if they’re to progress.
