This Saturday at 9:05 p.m. (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) host Auxerre (10th) at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1’s 6th matchday. Ahead of the clash, Auxerre coach Christophe Pélissier spoke to the press about facing the European champions.
Pélissier: “We’re not playing our season on this match”
“It’s a privilege to face the best team in Europe – maybe in the world – and to do it in their stadium. We’re not playing our season on this one match, there’s no special pressure other than to put up a good fight. PSG are European champions now; mentally and in terms of confidence that’s extraordinary. It’s a bit like a French Cup tie, David against Goliath,” Pélissier said.
“PSG dictate the tempo”
He praised the Parisians’ ability to crush opponents through positional attacks, wing play, depth runs and suffocating counter-pressing: “They’re technically and physically strong, they leave you very little. They decide the tempo. We’ll have to defend very well, exploit the 20–25 % possession we’ll have and be united.”
“We’re not going there as victims”
Pélissier framed the match as a test of spirit and personality. “Our league campaign won’t be decided there, but that doesn’t mean we’re going as victims. We have to try to cause them problems. Against a team like this you have to raise your level everywhere or you don’t exist,” he added.
For Auxerre, the trip to Paris is both daunting and valuable. Pélissier knows PSG will be determined to bounce back after their loss to Marseille, but he insists his players must treat it as an opportunity to measure themselves, not just an inevitable defeat.
