The mission was complicated, and it has now become very difficult with Neal Maupay’s injury adding to the suspensions of Eysseric, Bauthéac, and Bosetti. But no matter, the eaglets will fly to the capital with the firm intention of achieving something there to keep dreaming of Europe!
With six matches left until the end, Claude Puel is really not lucky and will have to manage without three of his key players in the red and black attack. However, this doesn’t trouble the composed Azurean coach, who has seen it all and will certainly field the appropriate eleven to attempt an upset against the Parisian leader. On the Paris Saint Germain side, there will be a strong desire to erase the setback of the first leg, where Ancelotti’s stars were defeated, for the first time away this season, at the Stade du Ray (2-1).
After resting on Monday following the match against Sochaux, the Nice team resumed on Tuesday with a jogging session at Vaugrenier and a training session on Wednesday morning at Charles Ehrmann, the afternoon session being eventually canceled. Two training sessions are scheduled for Thursday at 3:30 PM and Friday at 10 AM, while on Saturday at 11 AM, the eaglets will finalize their ultimate preparation behind closed doors.
Unfortunately, Saint Etienne’s elimination from the Coupe de France last night, by Lorient (1-2), will not allow the 6th place in Ligue 1 to qualify for the Europa League. Only a PSG-St Etienne final and a victory for the Greens in the Coupe de la Ligue final this Saturday against Rennes would allow this scenario. The 3rd qualifying place for the Europa League will therefore go to the winner of the Coupe de France, or the finalist if PSG wins the competition. It will be necessary to push hard until the end to hope to reach the European dream.
Every point taken in Paris will therefore be welcome before hosting the bottom club, Troyes, next Sunday at the Stade du Ray, then going to challenge Rennes on their Breton turf, traveling again to Evian, hosting Lyon, and finishing with a short trip to the island to face Ajaccio. 18 points to grab while hoping that Lille (6th), Saint Etienne (4th), Lyon (3rd), and Marseille (2nd) stumble in their respective runs…
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