The Europa League group stage is getting to the business end of matters, and Group J is set to provide one of the most dramatic finishes. Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla are stationed second and first respectively going into Thursday’s clash at the Parc des Princes, but with Borussia Dortmund lying in wait only a few points back, nothing is yet decided.
Les Parisiens are to some extent the surprise package in the group. Though still a big name on the continent, PSG are some way short of the side who were once rated as the best side in Europe during the 1990s by UEFA’s coefficient system. Indeed, it is quite some gauge as to how far their star has fallen that they are simply to be happy to be in the running for the French title.
PSG were only minutes away from being top of the standings at the weekend. They seemed headed for three points when Guillaume Hoarau slotted away a penalty against Olympique Lyonnais to put them 2-1 up against 10 men, but a quite horrendous goalkeeping error from Apoula Edel presented the hosts with the leveller.
“With three minutes to go it looked like we had the match won, so the first feeling is one of frustration at not holding on,” Antoine Kombouare said, according to Ligue 1’s official website. “Edel’s blunder cost us the win, but I’m really proud of my players for the character they showed in coming from behind in the first place. Even at 2-2, Stephane Sessegnon had a great chance to win it for us. That said, we are a tough team, and we stuck together tonight, which is promising for the future.”
Enjoying a good deal of success on all fronts, PSG won’t want their autumn momentum to be stifled by an exit from European competition that would be undeserved going by the first four matches they’ve played.
Stepping Backwards
Sevilla may have a relatively new coach in the form of Gregorio Manzano, but many of the same problems that they experienced under Antonio Alvarez and Manolo Jimenez remain. Los Nervionenses may go out with a more attack-focussed line-up, but that hasn’t stopped them from registering some wild results, including a 3-1 home defeat against Getafe at the weekend.
“This is a step backwards in our aspirations of finishing in the top four, and it is clear that we must try to improve,” Manzano told the media after the weekend loss. “In football, at times you can play nice to win, but at others you must learn to keep a scoreline of 1-0.”
The coach spoke of a “nervousness” in his side’s play, while central defender Martin Caceres was a little more up front about the performance, stating that his side had been “embarrassed” by los Azulones.
For the most part, Manzano has at least managed to get his side playing positively in Europe. Indeed, his first game in charge was a tremendous 1-0 away win against Borussia Dortmund, whom they will again face in a fortnight, setting the pace that was continued with two wins over Karpaty Lviv. Now Sevilla lead Group J, and a win in Paris would carry them through with top billing.
Los Nervionenses certainly won’t be taking the challenge of les Rouge et Bleu lightly. They were beaten by the French club at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Matchday 1 due to a late strike from Nene, but after winning their two previous away games 1-0, they should have a good degree of confidence.
TEAM NEWS
PSG
There are a handful on injuries in the PSG ranks. Jean-Eudes Maurice is the only player definitely sidelined, but there are worries over the fitness of Siaka Tiene and Mevlut Erding.
Mamadou Sakho and Clement Chantome should both return after missing out at the weekend due to suspensions.
Sevilla
Gregorio Manzano still has a lengthy list of injury problems. Jesus Navas and Luis Fabiano are the two most notable absentees, but Tiberio Guarente, Ivica Dragutinovic, Federico Fazio, Lautaro Acosta and Javi Varas are all missing too.
Prediction
PSG 1-1 Sevilla 
