JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain will focus on facing Manchester United's counter-attack in this season's Champions League opener on Wednesday. PSG were eliminated by the Red Devils in the same event 18 months ago.
PSG wasted a two-goal lead from the first leg by losing 1-3 against United in the last 16 in 2019. However, this year they reached the final before losing 0-1 to Bayern Munich in August.
Coach Thomas Tuchel warned that his previous achievements as they progressed to the top of the line would mean nothing when the two teams met at the Parc des Princes.
"Last season was over and we now are a different team. My challenge is to create a good atmosphere in the squad is compact," Tuchel said in a press conference before the match in Group H reported by Antara on Tuesday.
United have conceded 12 goals in four Premier League games this season and it looks like they have left them vulnerable to PSG attacking trio Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria. However, Tuchel had already set priorities for his team.
"They have made many changes compared to the 2018-2019 season team. They have brought in new players who are more confident and more experienced," said the German coach.
"Paul Pogba is a key player, one of the best midfielders in the world. The key is to stop him and also stop Bruno Fernandes. He plays with three strikers who are very fast."
A look back at coach Thomas Tuchel's press conference before #PSGMU 🎙️ https://t.co/Tx1vU35w5m
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 19, 2020
"They are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of attack and transition. The key is to stop them before starting the counterattack."
PSG itself will not be easy to do because they are without midfielder Marco Verratti, who injured his thigh which kept him out for three weeks. They are also without Argentine Leandro Paredes.
Tuchel also hopes his former United side Edinson Cavani will not show the form he has shown in the seven seasons with PSG in which he set the club's goalscoring record of 200 goals.
🆕📸 Training today, a day before the return of the @ChampionsLeague ! 🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/VFt1IAiJDd
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 19, 2020
"He has written the history of this club but it feels strange if he plays against us at the Parc with another club, but this is not us against him or him against us, absolutely not," added Tuchel.
"It was really difficult to defend against him. He is a player with fantastic quality. Tomorrow he doesn't need to prove me right."
But at the Man United press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Cavani was absent from this match because his condition was not fit.
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