Let’s start with the good stuff. To approach its Sunday meeting against Stade Rennais (5:05 p.m., Canal + foot) without trembling, PSG still and always carried by Kylian Mbappé, took advantage of a misstep from Marseille last weekend to take 10 points from lead the championship. A very comfortable margin in the quest for an eleventh national title, eleven days from the end.
For the rest, the occasions for rejoicing are not numerous. While the reception of Rennes, 5th in Ligue 1, seemed on paper to be first choice for the encrypted channel, it was not entitled to prime time on Saturday evening, nor to a more eventful schedule. Reims-OM, an enticing but not flashy poster, will end the day at 8:45 p.m. at neighboring Prime Video.
What reception after the elimination in the Champions League?
Has Paris lost its vigor? Is interest in Lionel Messi and all his clique in freefall? In addition, it is with a largely overhauled team that the champions of France will find the Bretons, who had beaten them on January 15 at Roazhon Park (1-0).
Christophe Galtier has to deal with a defensive sector weakened by numerous injuries. In addition to Presnel Kimpembe, operated on for the Achilles tendon, will be absent Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi and Nordi Mukiele. Just that…
Ten days after the Munich fiasco, attention will also turn to the public at the Parc des Princes, whose whistles we remember last year for the reception of Bordeaux four days after the sinking at the Bernabeu. PSG had won 3-0 against what was the red lantern at the time. Not enough to console disillusioned fans, who came to shout their anger from the stands. “Mbappé in Paris, Leonardo in the pillory” could be read on a banner deployed during the match.
Determined to end the season well, Galtier said there was no reason to whistle his players. He recalled that title of champion of France was an objective. A white season would, in fact, be experienced as an earthquake. He would, moreover, be held responsible for it.
From disappointment to indifference
“Until proven otherwise, we are not champions. We have a schedule with matches against Lyon, Rennes, Nice and Lens. We have a workforce that is very low. If we consider, my players and I, that it is already done, it will be a great disappointment, he slipped, in a sure voice, in front of the assembly. My players know that it is not won and that we have to get points. »
Contrary to what happened in March 2022, the CUP (Collectif Ultras Paris) did not publish a press release, this time, to express its grievances or call for general revolt. Can indifference trump disappointment? The reunion promises to be very special. Let’s hope, at least, that they are not sad. Without Europe, the party is still less crazy.