PSG Look To Avenge Cl Final Loss, Tuchel Seeks Blues Bounce-Back

News of Lewandowski’s absence for the quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday has understandably been met with some delight in Paris, especially with Neymar recovering fitness following his latest lay-off

PARIS

Paris Saint-Germain are seeking revenge for their defeat in last season’s final when they renew acquaintances with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last eight this week, but the French giants appear to have gone backwards since then despite the arrival of Mauricio Pochetino as coach.

News of Robert Lewandowski’s absence for the quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday has understandably been met with some delight in Paris, especially with Neymar recovering fitness following his latest lay-off.

Getting to the final of Europe’s elite club competition was a big step forwards, but going out in the quarter-finals now would be a major setback for PSG and Pochetino, especially as they are trailing in Ligue 1.

The former Totenham Hotspur coach said last month that he would need time to make his mark at the Parc des Princes and that he would be unable to make the changes he wants until the next pre-season.

What Pochetino really needs is for Neymar to rediscover his best form and for Kylian Mbappe to deliver -- PSG’s best performances under Pochetino have come with Mbappe starring, from his hattrick in Barcelona to a double in a 4-2 win in Lyon.

However Mbappe has sometimes flattered to deceive and performances have regularly been disappointing, under Tuchel and Pochetino.

They have lost 10 times this season, including three defeats in their last six league games.