PSG, the never-ending story of the extra-sporting
It's an end-of-season clash but there was very little talk of football before the kick off. Once again, the sporting sector has taken a back seat, a recurring phenomenon. It was a case of "I'm deeply shocked by the accusations of racism," said Christophe Galtier (56), who spent most of his press conference defending himself.
"I am deeply shocked by the comments that have been made about me and which have been relayed by some people in an irresponsible manner, which strikes me at the very heart of my humanity," he said in his opening remarks. The coach wanted to talk about the pitch but could hardly go into detail.
"It has been difficult, but I have taken refuge in my work to prepare for the upcoming match. The time I've spent on the pitch has allowed me to evacuate and forget everything that has been said.
In the face of adversity, will his players be perturbed by this new affair surrounding PSG, when there is only the championship to play for? With a six-point lead, the reigning French champions still have some margin, but it is tenuous. It was a good start to the season, but it was not enough to win the trophy, as the team had to win the first leg at Felix-Bollart-Delelis on January 1st.
Galtier did not particularly want to approach this match between the leader and his runner-up as a final, but he did urge his players to be more offensive on the pitch. However, it is in midfield that the doubts are greatest as Marco Verratti (30), with a hamstring injury, is out of action and, despite the criticism, the importance of the Italian in the Parisian midfield is essential and the return of Carlos Soler (26) does not compensate for this absence.
In addition to the Galtier affair, the extra-sporting side has been especially tense between the future of Lionel Messi (35), who looks set to move away from PSG next season, and the 'Kylian Saint-Germain Gate' after the publication of a promotional video as part of the re-subscription campaign.
"It's a good thing the team is so close to the top of the table," he said, "but it's not the only one. It's the only one that's going to make it to the top. To validate the conquest of the championship, it is essential for him to perform in this kind of crucial match."
Lens do well against PSG
Twenty-five years after their only league title, Lens have nothing to lose at the Parc des Princes. PSG's 2-0 win in Nice last week did not reassure them, however, and two successive home defeats to Rennes (2-0) and Lyon (1-0) showed that the Champions League exit against Bayern has left its mark.
The main strength of the Blood-and-Gold team lies in their ability to play their game first and impose their sustained rhythm on their opponents.
In an interview with Flashscore ahead of this clash, Franck Haise (52) detailed his precepts as the title could be on the line: "Even if we know that when we play Paris, it won't be easy.
"But we play every match to win them, in any case, we start the matches with that in mind. Now, against them, we will try to implement our principles of play, as we try to do every time, whatever the opponent."
The Lens identity is based on aggressive pressing to recover quickly and push themselves forward: "We know that we will have less chance of having the ball than our opponents.
"But in the end, for me, possession is not the most important thing. Far from it - even if I like my team to be in control. What's important at the end of the day is to create chances, to get shots, to concede as little as possible, and that has nothing to do with possession."
Haise knows what he is talking about. Since Lens returned to the top flight, PSG have won only one of their five games. For the rest, Les Artesiens has won twice and drawn twice. If this is not a bete noire, it looks like one.
What often makes the difference for Lensois is the quality of its defence. With only 22 goals conceded, they are clearly the most solid team in Ligue 1 and Brice Samba (28) was rewarded by Didier Deschamps by being called up for the first time with France at the last international gathering.
"Our three-man defence knows each other perfectly well," said Haise. "We've been playing with them for several seasons and have been playing together for at least two seasons, sometimes more.
"Then there is the fact that we know each other well and work a lot, which allows us to gain in solidity."
Defensive possessions have also become an essential weapon for tiring the opposing team: "Our possession must serve to hurt the opponent," explains the coach. "And we can do it in a way that makes them run, because it is also the best way to defend."
If PSG are not solid and compact at the back, Lens' ability to cause pain could be realised very quickly, especially with the form of Lois Openda (23), who has already scored 15 goals this season.
In an ideal position, Lens have everything to gain and, in the event of a win, would be in a state of euphoria when PSG are in a state of torpor. It is a turning point in the Ligue 1 season, nothing more and nothing less.
