Arsène Wenger, the former great French coach, is not sure that Enrique’s gang will be able to emerge unscathed from their visit to Signal Iduna Park.
Wednesday evening, during the semi-finals of the Champions League, PSG challenges Borussia Dortmund at home. The Ile-de-France residents, just crowned with the title of champion of France, are favorites in this confrontation. However, there are some observers who remain cautious. And this is the case with Arsène Wenger.
Interviewed by Le Parisien about this match, the Alsatian technician stressed that the trap will be this first leg in the Ruhr: “Everyone will say that PSG will win at home, so I think it will be played in Dortmund. As such, seeing the Parisians celebrate the victory in Barcelona (1-4 in the quarter return), we felt that the weight of the comeback was still extremely present in our minds. They exorcised all that negative mental charge. They will have to approach the semi-final with a free mind. And, at the same time, with the idea of playing their game and going to Dortmund to win. Paris must play to win, because it has such offensive potential…”.
For Wenger, PSG must prioritize defense
Wenger knows very well what it’s like to approach a C1 semi-final as a big favorite. He experienced this in 2006 with Arsenal against Villarreal. And he believes that Paris is in a similar situation: “The assessment of the potential of the two teams is favorable to Paris. However, Dortmund is a team that has mental resources. She is capable of reversing situations that seem compromised. But Paris Saint-Germain’s strength is being able to score against any team. Conversely, Borussia can concede goals against anyone. So, the balance of power is favorable to the Parisians. »
Finally, Wenger provided what he believes will be the keys to this confrontation. “For PSG, the solution is to find defensive solidity. It is necessary at this level. But, offensively, there is reason to be extremely confident. I find that what works in favor of the Parisians is the form of balance found in midfield. Which they didn’t have at the start of the season. They found stability and a technical level of security that they had been looking for for a long time.”
