PSG, recent winner of the Champions League and carried by an objective of historic fivefold, addresses this shock with confidence, after remarkable victories against Inter Miami (4-0) and Bayern Munich (2-0), despite the notable exclusions of Pacho and Lucas Hernández. Opposite, Real Madrid, unbeaten in a tournament under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, is based on the performance of Gonzalo García and returns in this face – Face – Face with the ex – Master of PSG, Kylian Mbappé, now in white. The setting will be boiling in the literal sense as in the figurative sense: the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey in more than 35 ° C, which could weigh physically on the two teams.
From a tactical point of view, Luis Enrique will stage a solid and disciplined PSG, taking advantage of his usual weapons, notably the duo Neves – Vitinha in the middle or his offensive trio well oiled around Ousmane Dembélé, despite absences in defense. On the Madrid side, Xabi Alonso must decide if Mbappé, given of gastroenteritis, will have the honor of starting, to the detriment of Gonzalo García, author of 4 goals so far. Beyond the sporting aspect, it is a shock loaded with symbols: the confrontation of Mbappé with his old club, in a scenario of revenge and mixed feelings.
No emotion for Luis Enrique!
At a press conference, Luis Enrique first stressed the importance of challenging a club like Real Madrid at this stage of the competition: “It's a special match. It will be special. Playing against them means that we have played well so far in this tournament. It will be fun; We are very motivated. The advantage of being at this level is that what we think today is valid today, but tomorrow, it could be something else. The greatness of PSG is that it controls less; The less predictable, the better, that's the objective“He said. But obviously the questions mainly revolved around the former Parisian, Kylian Mbappé.
Throughout the season, the Spanish coach did not stop repeating that his team would be much better without Kylian Mbappé. An observation which ended up being more than true, given the exceptional season of PSG. But the reunion between Mbappé and PSG do not necessarily draw the attention of Luis Enrique: “It will be interesting. It is a special match for many reasons. You have to be ready. It's a past, I don't regret it. It belongs to the past, and the past does not change much. Mbappé over -mobilized? It's a past, I'm not saying anything about the past». This reunion between Mbappé and its old club add a strong emotional dimension to an already explosive duel on the sporting level.
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