Saturday, February 8, 2014

AS Monaco vs PSG -Preview and Predictions

Berbatov looks to start his Monaco career with a bang


It's Psg vs Monaco at the Stade Louis II. The visitors would be eager to thrash the men in red and white by extending their lead to 8 points at the top. Parisens would be high on confidence heading into the marquee clash after they beat Nantes 2-1 in the Coupe de la Ligue semifinal.On the other hand Monaco were  sloppy against Lorient last week and they would love to stage a  come back against the men in dark blue in order to  keep their title race alive.



It will be a much anticipated clash between two of the magnificent striker strike forces of  Europe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic  against Dimitar Berbatov . One wishes to give his Monaco career a fresh start while other wants to continue his sensational  goal scoring ability.

Both the sides have shown some  dazzling   form in the ongoing season but there also have some big upsets they had to face against sides which are in the relegation zone.



In the reserve fixture  the match ended up being a draw 1-1 with Ibrahimovic scoring for the home side and Falcao scoring for the visitors.

This the match in which everyone of the 22 players on the field would dream to score to give his side the advantage

Berbatov said that "It's the best way possible (to start)." 
"You play against one of the biggest clubs in football, one of the best players in football, so what else can a player want?
"It's going to be a fantastic opportunity for me. It's perfect."
"I'm not here to take someone's place. I'm here to help the team as much as I can with my goals and my assists," added Berbatov.

Monaco's manager Ranieri said"This is like a training session for us mentally. It is a big match. It will allow us to see the difference that exists between us and the great PSG. 


"I have said to my players that the match is not a problem. The result will change nothing. The games against Nice (in the French Cup next Wednesday) and Bastia (next weekend) will be more important." 

"PSG are extraterrestrials. They can only lose the title. And they would need to make a lot of errors to do so. Because, even with their second team, they would win the title," he added.

Psg's midfielder Yohan Cabaye said"It won't be over, there are still 14 matches to play. But a win would bring us closer to the title".
Defender Gregory Van Der Wiel said "We want to win. We feel strong. It's never over while there are still points to play for but we would be even further ahead."

Psg's manager Laurent Blanc said "We come into the game with five points more. I think we are in a better situation than Monaco. 

"It is a huge match against a direct rival for the title. Monaco are having a great season, and they took a point off us at the Parc des Princes," he added.



Team News

Psg will be without their spearhead Edinson Cavani who is also expected to miss the match against Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Psg midfielder Adrien Rabiot is out  due to a knee injury and defender Jallet is having a back problem.

Yohan Cabaye is expected to start for the first time since his arrival in Paris.

Monaco would be without their star striker Falcao who scored in the Reverse fixture and has scored 9 goals this season and will most probably be out for the remaining season with a knee injury.

While,the arrival of Berabatov would revitalize the team.



Expected Line-ups


Psg(4-4-2):Sirigu;Thiago Silva,Alex,Van Der  Wiel,Maxwell;Thiago Motta,Matuidi,Cabaye,Verratti;Ibrahimovic,Lavezzi.

AS Monaco(4-4-2):Subasic; Fabinho, Kurzawa, Abidal, Raggi; Moutinho, Rodriguez, Obbadi, Kondogbia;Berbatov, Riviere.


Prediction

It's going to be a thrilling encounter with both the sides evenly poised and by seeing the form of both the teams it becomes even more harder to say anything regarding this match. The midfield performance  by both the teams would be a key factor that will decide the outcome of this match as both the teams have tremendously talented and experienced midfielders which can change the complexion of this match.The outcome of this match will also depend on the factor which team can survive the battle of nerves.

We'll predict a 2-2 draw.But one who even does a small mistake on the field will have to pay the price.  













No comments:

Post a Comment