Anyone who thinks that Paris Saint-Germain is going on a trip to Qatar is wrong. Or that French fans completely ignore next Wednesday’s match in Doha. The FIFA Intercontinental Club Cup obviously does not have the same weight as the Champions League, but it is a trophy coveted by the club – no Frenchman has it. Finally, the title would crown the brilliant year of the Parisians.
In July of this year, PSG had already tried to conquer the world championship. In the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, with 32 teams, the team arrived in the United States as favorites, but was beaten by Chelsea in the decider. Now the team has another chance to win an entity competition.
— This is an objective of PSG, which wants to win all possible trophies. It’s also the first time in its history that PSG is participating in the Intercontinental Cup, so it will do everything to win it — declared French journalist Benjamin Quarez, from Le Parisien.
Rumors that coach Luis Enrique would take an alternative team to Qatar do not hold water. The team, of course, could have losses. The case of right-back Hakimi, who is in the final stages of convalescence following an injury to his left ankle. He will complete his treatment in Morocco. The Moroccan team will make its debut at the African Cup of Nations on the 21st of this month.
Other players absent from the team in recent matches will also be available. Désiré Doué had already returned during the draw with Athletic Bilbao, in the Champions League; Dembélé has practically recovered from the flu; and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is another free player.
PSG’s end-of-year schedule also made Luis Enrique’s life easier. The team faces Metz tomorrow, last in the French team, before traveling to Qatar. Three days after the Intercontinental final, the match will pit Vendée Fontenay, a French fifth division club, for a match in the first round of the Coupe de France.
— The match against Metz is a match in which Luis Enrique can even rotate certain players. And then against Vendée Fontenay, whoever the Intercontinental is, it was already a match where he will probably use the reserves or almost all of the reserves. After this match, the team will not return until January 4 — analyzes Brazilian journalist Tiago Leme, who covers football in Paris.
There is yet one more factor. The owner of PSG is Qatar Sports Investments, one of the branches of the Middle Eastern country’s sovereign wealth fund. Doha is even preparing a fanzone for the club’s supporters. The commission also offers more economical complete packages to attend the final. A few thousand ultras are expected in the city.
— It’s not a competition that excites the fans very much. But, at the same time, if PSG loses the final, we will be completely frustrated. It’s a club goal, not a big dream, says fan Camille Huguenin.
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