DECRYPTION – Everything you need to know before Benfica-PSG, match of the third day of C1.
Where to see Benfica-PSG?
Benfica-PSG is this Wednesday at 9 p.m., on behalf of the third day of the C1 group stage. As usual, this meeting will be broadcast by Canal+ et RMC Sport 1. You can also follow it on our live commented site.
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A match already decisive for the 8th?
One thing is certain: the winner, if there is one, will be alone in the lead in the Group H standings with at least six points ahead of the third, or even eight in the event of a draw in the other meeting of the chicken. Currently, the two teams share the reins with six points each, six more than Juventus and Maccabi Haifa (0 pt). Clearly, a success could in no way be synonymous with assured access to the knockout stages. But the account would already not be very far away… “The result of this meeting will not be decisive.tempers Roger Schmidt, coach of Benfica. Of course, we are in a good position with two victories. Nevertheless, there are four games left and our opponents are tough.Note that Parisians and Lisbon residents will meet at the Parc des Princes next week, Tuesday October 11, for the fourth day.
Which PSG against Benfica?
A priori, no huge surprise to expect in the Parisian ranks this Wednesday. We know that Marco Verratti, hit before the truce in Lyon (0-1), is fit. He will return to the starting 11, as Galtier hinted at a press conference on Tuesday. Presnel Kimpembe is still out and it is probably Danilo Pereira who will replace him in the defensive trio. The other absentee is Renato Sanches, who is due to resume at the end of the week. Too bad for the former Benfica player, who “been thinking about this game for a long time», as told by Danilo. For the rest, everyone is there, including the three thieves of the “MNM”, including an unrecognizable Lionel Messi last season and found in 2022-23.
Read alsoChampions League: Draxler lost in Paris, revived at Benfica?
Draxler to play a nasty trick on PSG?
The ex-Parisians have always taken pleasure in making the nets shake against their former club. It’s not new. It is also a former titi who crucified Paris in the C1 final in 2020, with Bayern, Kingsley Coman. Quite a symbol. However, it did not smile on Leo Paredes, Adrien Rabiot and Moise Kean with Juventus or Dylan Batubinsika, with Maccabi Haifa, during the first two days of the 2022-23 Champions League vintage. At 28, Julian Draxler has in any case a lot to prove in his new colors, he who is loaned to Benfica for the season. His salary is largely paid for by the Parisian club, where he is under contract until 2024. Former Schalke 04, the former great German hope moved from Wolfsburg to Paris for 36 M € in January 2017, winning quickly as a member of Unai Emery’s 11. The arrivals of Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappé the following summer changed the game… Then, “Drax” got lost. Renowned for his silky technique, the German international (58 caps, 7 goals) has a record of 26 goals and 41 assists in 198 matches. With Benfica, the native of Gladbeck did not take long to score his first goal, a superb goal, a missile from the edge of the area (4 matches, 1 goal).
PSG on hostile ground?
In three trips to the Estadio da Luz, PSG lost… three times: 3-1 in 2007 in the UEFA Cup, 2-1 in 2011 in the Europa League and 2-1 in 2013, in the Champions League. Although, we can also add the results of the “Final 8” of C1, disputed in the usual lair of Benfica, with victories against Atalanta (2-1) and Leipzig (3-0) before a defeat in the final, against Bayern (0-1). “It was always difficult to play here during my five years at Porto“, recognizes Danilo, referring to the”hotatmosphere that reigns in this stadium. “We are confident, at home, in a big stadium, we have our chances“slips coach Schmidt. What about other Portuguese clubs? A defeat and a draw at Porto (0-0 in 2004, 1-0 in 2012), a draw at Boavista (0-0 in 2009) and a defeat at Sporting CP (1-0 in 2002). In summary, Paris has never won in Portugal.
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What are the main threats on Benfica’s side?
In addition to Julian Draxler (see elsewhere), Parisian defenders will have to be wary of Gonçalo Ramos, Portuguese neo-international and author of eight goals in 13 matches this season with his training club, leader of the championship. A player who has no secrets for the recruiters of “Qatar-SG”, who are interested in the young (21) attacker according to various sources. If he recently retired from international football, at 29, Rafa Silva is nonetheless a danger to be taken into consideration, like Brazilian winger David Neres, former Ajax player. Last season, Darwin Nunez was often at the conclusion. This year, danger comes from everywhere. The experience of Argentine international defender Nicolás Otamendi is obviously invaluable, as is that of Joao Mario. Beware of set pieces from Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo.
Read alsoChampions League: “In this stadium, everything is possible and we will fight for the three points”, swears Schmidt before Benfica-PSG
Last but not least, Benfica relies on a very efficient doublet in the middle, in Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-3-1, with the Portuguese Florentino (23 years old) and the little Argentinian nugget Enzo Fernandez (21 years old), already promised a great future. “It’s 50/50“Swears the latter, who arrived during the offseason of River Plate. And to add:The favorites may be PSG, but we will apply our game plan and do our best to get the win.“Lisboans are confident. The opposite would be surprising: they won their first 13 matches in all competitions before their draw against Vitoria Guimarães on Saturday (0-0).