Cyrille de la Morinerie / Photo credit: MATTHIEU MIRVILLE / DPPI VIA AFP
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9:09 a.m., March 7, 2024
Since the qualification, a wind of optimism has been blowing over the capital, because PSG has found some color. After two draws and two eliminations in the round of 16 in a row, the Parisian team largely dominated Real Sociedad thanks to the virtues of newfound solidarity.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has made some great saves and has impressed since the start of the year, midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery has shown off his talent despite his young age and Kylian Mbappé is in great form. The Parisian captain who played the entire match scored his 35th and 36th away goals in the Champions League since the start of his career!
Fans optimistic for the victory of the Parisian team
This PSG is reassuring and in the ranks of supporters, we are starting to believe it. Alain, an unconditional fan of the Parisian club, is even convinced that Paris will win the Champions League. “I have a feeling it’s going to be good. Since they fail every year, I hope it’s going to be good!”, this fan explains firmly.
And the number 1 argument for winning the trophy is Kylian Mbappé. “It’s his last year at the club. He’s going to do everything to leave with this trophy! PSG is going to go to the final! It’s going to be a party and Mbappé is going to score in the final,” he adds.
For José Cobos, PSG showed another face and can believe in it
An optimism shared by some great veterans of PSG, starting with José Cobos joined by Europe 1. The former midfielder who played three seasons in Paris (1993-1996) really liked the attitude of the Parisians during the success against the Country -Basque.”There is character and personality in this Parisian team. I think that this victory against Real Sociedad will be a benchmark match to go all the way,” says the former player.
For José Cobos, PSG is one of the four best teams in the world and has all the capabilities to go all the way to realize their dream of winning the Big Ears Cup. “Yes, the Parisians can believe it! Apart from the technical quality and the individualities, it must above all be emphasized that they did not give up until the last minute. PSG showed another face which is very reassuring for the rest”, he delivers on the microphone of Europe 1.
No pressure for players from Nasser Al Kalaifi
But other PSG personalities prefer to temper the optimism of some. The team must remain on its guard, because to go to the end, it will be necessary to beat the big names. From the quarter-finals, it is a very big team that Paris will have to eliminate, specifies the emblematic former President of PSG Alain Cayzac. “I’m realistic. There are teams that have assets as good and strong as ours, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, the defending champion Manchester City,” he says.
The former PSG boss believes that it takes a lot of ingredients to win the European Cup. Winning the Champions League is not just about merit. “There is a bit of luck, you have to be good that day, there is a penalty whistled or not whistled… I have always tried not to get into this kind of prediction,” explains Alain Cayzac.
But he still believes that Paris can go at least to the semi-final. “I’m not saying that Paris will be European champion this year. It could be this year, next year or in five years, but it’s not something that can be predicted given the quality of the competitors who have a lot of means. Real Madrid and Manchester City are not poor. I think we can win, but there are a lot of unknowns… But we have assets to go further than the quarter-finals”, recalls Alain Cayzac.
Moreover, the current President of PSG Nasser Al Kalaifi does not put pressure on his players. “Keep having fun,” he simply asked them after qualifying for the quarter-finals.