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UCL: Ruiz, PSG look to punch ticket to Round of 16
"it's going to be a fantastic game tomorrow"
So said Brest manager Éric Roy in his traditional pre-match press conference. Despite facing down a massive deficit from the first leg, the veteran manager stressed the importance of belief, underscoring that not only was his side capable of overturning that margin, but that he had done so himself on a previous occasion. "I once played a match where I was losing 4-0 at half-time and I won 5-4. So, from my perspective, it's 3-0 and there are 90 minutes left and not just 45 minutes... let's say that it's something that's within my capabilities. If I manage to pass it on to my players, you never know."
While it may seem bravura on Roy's part, especially given the Ligue 1 leaders' scintillating form at the moment, Brest themselves can draw on a strong run, with just one loss in their last six league encounters, a run that has come while working to confirm their spot in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. If that same mix of self-belief and individual talent can once again make itself known, there just might be hope for the Bretons to follow in the footsteps of Atlético Madrid by winning in the French capital.
👊🏟️ ACT II
🏆 @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/y1pwjq0xhn— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 18, 2025
Quiet determination
Somewhere in the back of Roy's mind will surely be the 2016/17 Champions League season, where this same Paris Saint-Germain (albeit with a very different squad) conspired to lose on aggregate to Barcelona despite winning the first leg 4-0. The manager of that Barcelona side, of course, was a certain Luis Enrique, his opposite number tomorrow. Even if overturning a deficit would be a shock, Enrique spoke clearly of the danger his opponents pose and of the need to focus to see out the task at hand.
"We know it's not going to be an easy game. Nothing has been decided. Without a doubt, it's a 'trap match.' Despite a very good result in the first leg, our job is to think of having an obligation to win this match. We have to attack and defend in a total way. The atmosphere will be a great support." While Enrique should be lauded for paying homage to the work being done by Roy and his charges, the reality is that PSG seem to be going from strength to strength on all fronts and will be well-positioned to hear their names called in Friday's draw.
Predicted lineups:
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vithina, Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Barcola (or Kvaratskhelia)
Stade Brestois (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Haïdara; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Baldé (or Sima), Ajorque, Doumbia
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