Paris Saint-Germain hanging for their lives ahead of crucial game against La Liga side Athletic Bilbao
Brazilian star Nene believes that Paris Saint-Germain still have a great chance of qualifying for the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League despite knowing that even a win against Bilbao might not be enough for qualification.
Parc des Princes, Paris will see PSG host Athletic Bilbao in their last game of the group stages of this season’s Europa League. However, the outcome of the game might be meaningless for the Parisians as some truly dreadful mistakes in their last two European
outings have put the club on the verge of crashing out of the tournament in the group stages.
In their previous game, Les Parisiens lost 2-0 to Red Bull Salzburg at the Red Bull Arena. The Parisians needed just a draw to seal a place in the round of 32 but a defeat against the Austrian giants has almost ended PSG’s European dream.
Athletic Bilbao on the other hand, have already topped the Group F and winning or losing will not matter much to the Spaniards. However, PSG need to beat Bilbao and must pray for a miracle in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Slovakia-c3007. Group F whipping boys Slovan Bratislava host Red Bull
Salzburg and the Slovakians need to beat Salzburg to do PSG a big favour which seems highly unlikely.
Nene has played all of PSG’s five games in the group stages and admits that the task is a tough one for his side. While talking to L’Equipe, the winger said that things are still in his side’s hands as they must win at home to make the outcome of the Slovan-Salzburg
game meaningful.
However, Nene knows that crashing out is a distinct possibility and said that it would be a sad note for the club to crash out so early in the competition.
Poor away from home
Throughout the group stages, the Ile side have been poor away from home. A sketchy away form and players not performing to their abilities was the main reason behind the 2-0 loss at Salzburg. Earlier in October, PSG drew 0-0 at Bratislava against Slovan
Bratislava. The game against the Slovakian minnows was certainly a winnable game for the cash-laden side.
PSG would now be hoping that the minnows would be as obdurate against Salzburg as they were with them. Reports initially suggested that PSG might consider fielding a weak side for the game against Bilbao. However, Antoine Kombouare has rubbished these suggestions
by saying that he does not have a different team for every competition.
"I have to pick a side and yes, I have a tricky fixture list to contend with. There are four games in 12 days between the Sochaux match last Saturday and Saint Etienne next week. The idea is to put out the best team and if it goes well and if we win, that
would be the best way to prepare for this weekend's game against Lille," the Kanak coach said while talking to the media.
Team news
PSG
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jeremy-Menez-c18345 is likely to return to training after missing a training session.
Bilbao
Bilbao coach http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Bielsa will be looking to make a few changes to his starting XI and is reportedly looking to give a few of the fringe players a chance to shine in the game at the Parc des Princes.
Likely starting XI
PSG: Douchez - Ceara, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nenê-c27581 - Gameiro (or Erding)
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz - Iraola, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Lopez - Susaeta, Gabilondo, Muniain – Toquero
Predicted final score: PSG 2-1 Bilbao
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