On the 8th and final day of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase, Paris Saint-Germain (20th) take on Stuttgart (22nd) in Germany this Wednesday at 9pm. Anthony Rouault, the 23-year-old defender who left Toulouse last summer to join the German club, spoke to L’Equipe about this encounter. The defender, who is suspended for the match, made no secret of the fact that he believes Paris is less scary than before, and that his team is not aiming for a draw (which would be enough to qualify).
Rouault “You can’t play for that.
“Is it possible to keep the ball against PSG?
That’s what our coach (Sebastian Hoeness) always tries to do. After that, he’s going to study their weak points, and it’s certain that we won’t need to have the ball to play ball games. We’ll see, and if we have to adapt a little to hurt them, we’ll do it.
Should you be aiming for a draw?
You can’t play for a draw. That’s not our philosophy anyway. We like to play soccer. If we start the game with that in mind, it’s too dangerous, because we could slip up and lose everything.
Rouault “I think we’re capable of doing something.”
Does PSG still scare people abroad?
They have some very good players, but when you play in the Championship against Bayern, Dortmund, Leipzig… they’re also big teams. When I knew Messi, Neymar and Mbappé at PSG, they were the best. Of course, it’s less impressive now.
I think we’re capable of doing something. But we mustn’t change our approach to the game, because there’s still a lot of talent out there. (Bradley) Barcola, for example, he can change the game with an acceleration.”
Of course, Stuttgart have no intention of playing for position in this match. The idea is to put in a real performance and secure qualification in the best possible position. It would be dangerous for Stuttgart and PSG to start the match aiming for a draw. But we’re sure it will come into play if the game is tied with a few minutes to go.
It’s also a focus for fighting spirit right to the end, since a draw at the end of the game can change everything. In any case, the German club is approaching the match with ambition. They have to be, because being afraid doesn’t get you anywhere.
We can also understand what Rouault is saying: Paris has already had a squad with names that inspired more fear. Particularly in attack. However, there is a more solid and consistent collective. We saw against Manchester City that it’s capable of great things. But also that PSG can lack efficiency. Which is an element of hope for their opponents. It’s up to the Parisians to improve on this point.
