Paris Saint-Germain tackle Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Wednesday 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 possibility to hitch 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 at present sit second with seven factors, three behind Dortmund and two forward of Newcastle and Milan.
“The most important thing is to focus on ourselves,” stated 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 bought off to a flyer when Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi targets 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 had been backed up by a 1-1 draw on matchday 5 towards the English outfit.
Although already assured of their place, the onus continues 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,” stated 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-time winners Milan, with each side on 5 factors and needing victory to have any hope of qualifying.
Fail to win and PSG will significantly 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 staff.
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, partly, value coaches Mauricio Pochettino and Christophe Galtier their jobs.
And a good earlier exit this time period may very well 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 combined begin to life in Paris for the Spaniard.
Leao boosts Milan
Rafael Leao returns for AC Milan’s final determined try to succeed in the Champions League knockouts, the seven-time European champions looking at early elimination forward of their last Group F match at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Portugal attacker Leao has been out of motion for the previous month with a hamstring harm however Milan are assured their winger will likely be prepared to start out at St James’ Park and repeat his mesmerizing show towards Paris Saint-Germain from a month in the past.
The 24-year-old is Milan’s undoubted star man, the participant who when on kind is able to turning a match in his facet’s favour however whose performances have been erratic in a troubled season for the Italian outfit.
Milan will want the model of Leao which tore PSG to bits if they’re to have any probability of progressing to the final 16 as a painful dwelling loss to Borussia Dortmund of their most up-to-date group fixture left qualification out of their arms.
Leao has scored 4 instances and arrange three extra this season however has been criticized for lackluster performances, his equalizer within the 2-1 dwelling win over PSG.
“Criticism spurs me on, keep talking because I’ll reply on the pitch,” stated Leao after the PSG win, which was the final time he discovered the web as he picked up his hamstring knock just a few days later at Lecce.
Milan should beat Newcastle, not an unimaginable activity judging by the 4-1 thumping Eddie Howe’s staff took at Tottenham on Sunday, but in addition want group leaders Dortmund to beat PSG who’re two factors forward of Milan within the second spot.
A 3-0 thrashing in Paris in October signifies that Milan have to complete on extra factors than PSG in any other case it is relegation to the Europa League or – if they do not win in England – elimination from all continental competitors.
And the staff is already at a low ebb after Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at Atalanta which left Milan 9 factors behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan and followers calling for coach Stefano Pioli’s head.
Pioli has good relations with the membership hierarchy and American house owners RedBird, and he has a number of credit score within the financial institution after main Milan again to the highest echelons of the sport.
The 2022 Serie A title and final season’s run to the semifinals of the Champions League have been the excessive factors of the post-Silvio Berlusconi period.
Source: www.dailysabah.com