Nothing is going well, play your games. Two days before the end of the group stage, everything remains possible in Group F of the Champions League. The four teams stand in three small points (the ranking here)! This poster between PSG and Newcastle, this Tuesday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, during the fifth lift, is therefore of capital importance. A shock broadcast on Canal and RMC Sport 1 and to be followed live with commentary on our site.

Yes, but it doesn’t just depend on them. They should indeed win against Newcastle and hope that Milan do not beat Dortmund. Quick reminder: Borussia currently leads the way with seven points, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain (6 pts), AC Milan (5) and Newcastle (4). One thing is certain: with a victory this Tuesday, PSG would be assured of at least playing in the Europa League next spring. It’s already that. The Rouge et Bleu cannot in any case be eliminated this Tuesday, unlike their opponent of the day, and have their destiny entirely in their hands: if they win their last two matches, this Tuesday and December 13 in Dortmund , they will finish at the top of the “group of death”, which would give them top seed status for the draw on December 18. It can be useful…

According to Luis Enrique, PSG did well at St-James’ Park, despite the 4-1 defeat. “Newcastle deserved their victory, I congratulate them, but the final result is exaggerated, it does not reflect the gap between the two teams,” analyzed the Spanish coach. In reality, however, the Parisians had taken the lead, overwhelmed in all areas of the game by the intensity and aggressiveness of the English, for what represented their first C1 match at home for 20 years. The madness of grandeur of “Lucho” – who had aligned the quartet Mbappé, Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Ramos from the start – had been costly and the midfielder, mechanically depopulated by his choices, had suffered wave after wave. Certainly, Lucas Hernandez had brought his team back to 2-1, and the Toons’ fourth goal only came in stoppage time, transforming the defeat into a correction. But the domination of the latter was total. Missed. Note that it was a 17-year-old, Warren Zaire-Emery, who was the least bad (the Parisians’ notes here).

Also read: PSG: the defeat of Luis Enrique and his delusions of grandeur

Seventh in the Premier League standings, the Magpies remain on a card against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea (4-1) on Saturday, 11 against 10 in the last quarter of an hour, with goals from Alexander Isak, Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon. Enough to invite Parisians to be careful… And this even if Newcastle travel relatively poorly: two victories in nine matches away from St-James’ Park in all competitions, for three draws and four defeats, including two during their last trips, to Dortmund (2-0) and Bournemouth (2-0), before the international break. In C1, Eddie Howe’s men have only won one match in 2023-24, against PSG (1 draw, 2 defeats). Which PSG, leader in Ligue 1, remains on seven victories in eight outings since its setback in England. Seven successes with at least three goals scored, including five against Monaco on Friday (5-2). In Champions’, Paris has performed flawlessly in front of its home crowd so far, against Dortmund (2-0) and Milan (3-0). Never two without three ?

The man called Szymon Marciniak, a 42-year-old whistle. Although he has never refereed Newcastle, the Pole knows PSG well. He also officiated in two matches that remain in the memories of Parisian fans, the 2-1 victory against Liverpool in 2018 and the futile card against Barça (4-0)… by Luis Enrique, in 2017. Mr. Marciniak also chaired the debates during the 1-0 success of the Rouge et Bleu on the ground of Galatasaray, in 2019, and the following year during the Parisian defeat at Leipzig (2-1). Heated match during which Thomas Tuchel’s players finished nine against 11, after the expulsions, for a second yellow, of Gana Gueye and Presnel Kimpembe.

Certainly, the PSG vintage 2023-24 wants to be more collective than its predecessors, and relies less on the talent of its individuals than in the days of the “MNM” (Mbappé, Neymar, Messi). However, the combined absences of Marquinhos and Warren Zaire-Emery pose a serious problem, their profile being difficult to replace within the Parisian squad… As for the defense, Luis Enrique chose to replace Lucas Hernandez in the axis against Monaco, with Nordi Mukiele on the left. He undoubtedly understood that the Danilo/Skriniar tandem, favored in the three previous matches without “Marqui” in the starting 11, was not viable in terms of speed. In the midfield, Fabian Ruiz started in place of “WZE” on Friday. A success (PSG-Monaco notes here). To see if the Spanish midfielder continues, or if his coach leans towards another profile (Danilo, Lee, Barcola…). It remains to be seen who will start up front, between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé: a pure striker (Ramos, Kolo Muani) or a “false 9” (Asensio, Lee)?

Note that the English staff also have their little problems. More than that in fact, Eddie Howe and the Toons are drowning in injuries (Botman, Longstaff, Wilson, Burn, Barnes), not to mention the suspension of Sandro Tonali (illegal bets). Compared to the first match, the 45-year-old English technician recovers the 27-year-old Brazilian international midfielder (5 caps, 1 goal) Joelinton.