This Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain (25th) take on Manchester City (22nd) at the Parc des Princes for the 7th round of the Champions League 2024-2025 (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of the match, Nicolas Anelka, former player and great lover of the club, talks to the PSG website about what it takes to tackle such a match. He gives the keys to the match, not forgetting the importance of the fans.
Anelka: “We need to work hard to be ready for kick-off”.
“Nicolas, what memories do you have of preparing for the big European matches ?
It’s always special to play in the big matches. That’s one of the memories I have from my playing days at Paris Saint-Germain, the desire to get ready for the big games. The Champions League is a great competition, in which everyone wants to shine. You have to work hard to be ready from the start.
We can imagine that the fans will be decisive this Wednesday…
The support of the fans is essential. When you’re out on the pitch, it’s really important to have the support of the fans, even in difficult moments. They give us a lot, and allow us to draw on our reserves, that little bit extra that can make all the difference.
Anelka “The role of the fans is very important”.
How do you explain this connection with the fans ?
When you’re out on the pitch, you can always hear the fans, even if you’re fully focused on the match of course. They’re able to transmit extra energy when we need it. The role of the fans is very important.
Anelka “It’ll be an even match”.
You know both teams and both clubs well. What kind of match can we expect on Wednesday ?
It’s bound to be a tough game. But they’ll be playing against a PSG team that has a very strong collective and creates a lot of chances. And I believe in them! Paris have a lot of confidence, and their string of league wins is obviously important. It’s going to be an even match, but Paris will be at home, at home, with their supporters in attendance.”
It’s not ONE match, it’s THE match of the season for PSG and even Manchester City. For Paris, it’s a question of avoiding a first elimination under the Qatari era in the qualifying phase. So far, they’ve had a good season in terms of play, but less so in terms of results. As for City, this season has been complicated.
Dropped in the Premier League, they have suffered setbacks in the LDC and this match has become important. Both teams should never have found themselves in such a situation after 6 games. The importance of winning is there for both teams. There’s no calculation involved.
Both clubs can still qualify, of course, but this match, this “final”, will have a special flavour, between a rebuilding PSG, still breaking in, and a moribund City, capable of the best and the worst. As Anelka says, PSG have to rely on their strengths, the team and also their supporters. Playing at the Parc des Princes should be an added incentive for Luis Enrique’s men.
