It could hardly be worse for Bayern’s next opponent. The atmosphere at Paris Saint-Germain is heavily charged. Will Lionel Messi be back in time?
The fans are angry, it should also have crashed in the cabin: Bayern Munich’s Champions League opponent Paris Saint-Germain is really alarmed. “It looks like a bad movie,” wrote the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe”. The capital city club is experiencing its worst winter since it was taken over by the Qatari investment fund in 2011.
“If you lose three seasons, the shareholder starts to get angry, if you lose four, a crisis is brewing, if you lose five, the coach is threatened,” said “L’Équipe”. The 1: 3 at AS Monaco was the fourth defeat in a competitive game this year.
Coach Christophe Galtier admitted that he was worried – but with a view to the upcoming round of 16 first leg against Bayern in the Prinzenpark on Tuesday and the tense personnel situation at PSG. The hopes of the French champion now rest even more on world champion Lionel Messi.
Messi and Verratti back?
The 35-year-old Argentinian was injured in the cup defeat in Marseille and was missing against and in the Principality. Messi should be back for the final training session on Monday. Marco Verratti is probably available again against Munich.
As for Kylian Mbappé, who is due out for three weeks after suffering a muscle injury earlier in the month, Galtier reiterated that he doesn’t think the ex-French world champion will be fit. “We’re taking zero, zero risk with Kylian.”
Of the superstar trio in PSG’s attack against Monaco, only Neymar remained, who is said to have bickered with fellow players on the pitch, but also in the cabin with PSG advisor Luís Campos, according to French media reports. Captain Marquinhos is said to have sided with fellow Brazilian Neymar. “Where is the crisis leading to?” asked “20 Minutes”.
The only PSG goal in Monaco was scored by 16-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery (39th minute). In the table, Paris are still five points ahead of Olympique Marseille and seven ahead of Monaco. “I understand the anger of the fans,” said Galtier. “Stay strong and united,” Mbappé posted on Instagram Story.
Source: Stern
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