Paris Saint-Germain can face Le Havre this Saturday (21:00).E title of champion of France in case of victory. But it’s also an opportunity for the Parisians to make final adjustments ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg in Dortmund, not to mention the chance to rest players.
While his second Monaco postponed their coronation on Wednesday with a win against Lille (1-0), Paris will surely hit the target if they beat HAC at the Parc des Princes during the 31.E day (of 34). However, should PSG be crowned in front of their home crowd, they will not be presented with the trophy immediately, but until the final home game of the season, against Toulouse on 11 May.
“This end of the season is very positive”
In addition to the long-awaited title, the meeting against promoted Le Havre (16E, 28 points) primarily offers an opportunity for Paris coach Luis Enrique to make adjustments to his team’s rotation. “We arrive at the end of the season in positive circumstances. We are in a great moment, we have almost all the players available except for Presnel Kimpembe and Sergio Rico. Everyone has a chance to play, the fans are happy, this end of the season is very positive,” he explained at Friday’s press conference.
The Spaniard, who is bidding for a Ligue 1 – Coupe de France – Champions League treble in his first season in the capital, has his eyes set on a double clash with Dortmund in the C1 semi-finals on Wednesday and May 7. And there is no doubt that securing the championship on Saturday would reassure the team and allow the Parisians to look forward to their big European encounter with peace of mind.
Holders on Wednesday against Lorient, where they put on a show by each scoring a double (4-1) after Sunday’s absence against Lyon (4-1), the two French strikers Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé could not play the whole match. wrestle. They could even start on the bench or be quickly brought on by Luis Enrique.
Change so that nothing changes
“They are two of the best players in the world right now,” defender Milan Škriniar said in the mix zone about his two teammates, who show everyone how much they enjoy playing together. And this comes at the best time for PSG given the upcoming dates.
As for the other usual Champions League starters rested in Morbihan on Wednesday, Achraf Hakimi, captain Marquinhos and midfielders Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha should be lined up to regain rhythm and continue to build momentum without playing . 90 minutes.
“I will continue in the same way, changing players.” Why would I change? What changes is that if we win tomorrow we will be officially champions and to do it in front of our fans is ideal,” explained Luis Enrique.
Weaknesses that need to be worked on
On Saturday, the main goal will be to avoid injuries and at the same time gain confidence and orientation. At the same time, Luis Enrique is working to give his typical team the best possible conditions, focusing on the weak points: the defense still too easily penetrated, aerial exits and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s poorly controlled kicking, fluidity and pressing. from Wednesday…
So as not to get lost in the key aspects of the game on Wednesday at the Westfalenstadion, the idea will be to combine business with pleasure on Saturday: going for a new title while fine-tuning the details ahead of the clash on German soil.