Former Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona player Ludovic Giuly spoke to Le Parisien about the Champions League semi-final clash between Arsenal and PSG. He said he was looking forward to a great encounter, the most exciting semi-final on the programme compared to the one between Inter Milan and Barça. The downside for him is the number of goals scored by PSG.
Giuly “Arsenal defend a little better than Paris and that the Parisians have more talent in attack.”
“How do you see the double-header against PSG?
It’s going to be huge. It’s going to be even better than Barcelona-Inter Milan. Arsenal are more or less the same team as Paris. They both have a great collective mastery. I think Arsenal defend a little better than Paris, and the Parisians are more talented in attack.
Giuly “It’s going to be superb.”
What will Paris have to watch out for?
Not to score as many goals as against Aston Villa (4 in two games). That’s three knockout games against English teams. OK, they shut Liverpool out, but they suffered too much against Aston Villa, who are much weaker than Arsenal. We mustn’t think that PSG are already in the final. Arsenal are really on the same level.
I insist, but I think PSG concede a few too many goals and Donnarumma won’t always be able to save the team. If Paris want to go through, they’ll have to tighten up their defence. But those who love beautiful soccer and teams that like to hold the ball are in for a treat. It’s going to be superb.“
Another analysis of the moment. Yet another analysis based on comparisons that have nothing to do with it. If Paris play as they did against Aston Villa, Giuly can’t predict the result. PSG will play differently, will have other options, and so will Arsenal. It’s hard to say who will win, but one thing’s for sure: PSG will have to be at their very best, and that goes for the Gunners too.
Why is Arsenal so far from the Premier League title? Surely because this team has flaws. Why point out PSG’s flaws without mentioning those of their opponents? Clearly, at the moment, one has eliminated a poor Real Madrid, while the other has struggled against a good Aston Villa (solid at home, too). PSG will need to score, tighten up their midfield and play simply and with purpose, everything they lost in the second half on Tuesday night.
However, all PSG’s opponents have commented on the high quality of their play, which is no mean feat. In the end, if PSG took a few goals, Aston Villa took one more. This is also the Luis Enrique version of PSG. Scoring more than the opposition, and that’s clearly what they’re doing with each passing game.
The match will be different, as PSG will have a serious opponent (which Aston Villa forgot to be in the first leg and early in the second leg). The players will be keen to make it a great double-header, with two games to go before the final, where all dreams are permitted.
