Under a heavy sky and in an already very European atmosphere, the PSG Campus experienced a media day yesterday which looked less like a communications operation than an immersion in the last days before a Champions League final. Ten days before the meeting against Arsenal, the Parisian players took turns in the mixed zone with a common message which constantly recurred between caution, confidence and total refusal to consider Paris as an obvious favorite. The smiles were there, the relaxed exchanges too, but behind the jokes and the sometimes light-hearted responses, everyone recalled the same thing. Arsenal didn’t get to the final by chance. In the corridors of the PSG Campus, no one wants to hear about a PSG already winning or a scenario written in advance despite the European status taken by the club over the last two seasons. From Warren Zaire-Emery to João Neves, from Lucas Hernandez to Désiré Doué, the Parisian players all insisted on the need to remain focused until the end. Several spoke of the collective strength of the Gunners, Premier League champions, while others mainly spoke of the current atmosphere in the Parisian locker room.
A serene, very united group, which seems to be experiencing this second consecutive final with more calm and experience than last year. Between physical management, long tactical work sessions and moments of breathing with family, PSG is preparing this final in a controlled bubble form. A bubble where the excitement is real but where no one wants to get carried away too quickly by the scent of a possible European coronation. IF the players respect the Gunners, it is also because Luis Enrique had announced the color earlier in the press conference. “We have past experience against Arsenal. We know their qualities. They are the best team in the world without the ball. And with the ball, they are capable of scoring a lot. It’s a wonderful combination. We can see a superb finale. If you see Arsenal’s statistics you will see that Arteta is a leader, he is the one who brought a winning mentality. For 4-5 seasons, they have improved every year. They know how to play with the ball and without the ball, they are the best team in Europe. They won the Premier League, which is unique. Last year we had the merit of beating them. Arteta is a great coach. He was in the best place to learn with Guardiola. Arteta as a player I only knew him for a year at Barcelona“.
Gunners respected but warned
In the corridors of the PSG Campus, images of Arsenal’s celebrations after the English champion title necessarily accompanied some of the exchanges in the mixed zone. Crowned in the Premier League after Manchester City’s misstep, the Gunners are heading towards this Champions League final and the Parisian players are absolutely not trying to minimize what this London team represents. Very calm in front of the media, João Neves admitted to having seen the numerous videos which had been circulating since the day before while recalling that PSG had also finished champion in France. The Portuguese midfielder now expects a final contested with enormous intensity on both sides. “I’ve seen a lot of videos. They won the Premier League. We were also champions in France. We are very happy. I congratulate them and now it’s one more match and we’re going to play. They will play with more intensity. We too are ready for that.” More discreet on the subject, Désiré Doué admitted not having followed the festive images from the London locker room. “No, I didn’t see it at all.”
Same story with Lucas Hernandez and Nuno Mendes, both very cautious when it came to the English champion. The French defender hailed a title “deserved” before recalling that Arsenal were going to arrive extremely motivated for this European final. But in the Parisian locker room, the speech has remained the same for several days. No panic, no excessive excitement, only controlled preparation and a collective obsession focused on final victory. “They are champions of England, it’s never easy. Now they are in the Champions League final too. They will be very motivated too. And it’s up to us to face this match in the best possible way. Like I said before, you have to face it to win it.” Lucas Hernandez also assured that this second consecutive final had changed nothing in the emotional management of the Parisian group. “We are experiencing it in the same way as last year. We are aware that we can continue to create the history of this club, but we are calm. We keep the same routine. We train, we come home, we stay with the family. We also try to escape a little from everything around us, from everything people can say. It’s up to us to stay calm, do what we have to do in training and then rest, that’s the most important thing.” In this PSG, no one wants to underestimate Arsenal. And especially not Warren Zaire-Emery or Nuno Mendes, two players who have returned several times to the collective strength of the Gunners.
Image generation in progress
Asked about a particular danger on the London side, the Parisian midfielder refused to target a specific name, preferring to emphasize the overall level displayed this season by Mikel Arteta’s team. “At this level, you have to fear everyone. It’s a very strong team. As we have seen, they are Premier League champions. We will have to be concentrated and minimize all the small errors. That’s what’s going to make the difference.” Nuno Mendes, for his part, explained that he had not yet watched the English celebrations but immediately refocused the subject on the upcoming final and the need to be at the maximum for 90 minutes. “I think they won yesterday because City didn’t win. So congratulations to them, but afterward, we have a big match to play on the 30th. I’m focusing on PSG. You will have to be careful. They are a great team. If we are not at our best, we could be eliminated in the last match of the Champions League. So we try to be focused. They have several players going to the World Cup too. They are great players. We try to be good from start to finish.” Nobody boasts at PSG. Despite the title of French champion and a second consecutive Champions League final, the Parisian players refuse to see themselves already at the top against Arsenal. In the mixed zones of the media day organized yesterday at the PSG Campus, one word kept coming up between caution, distrust and maximum concentration. The Gunners are champions of England, arrive in full swing and Paris knows that one detail can still change everything.
