Champions League 2022-23: PSG ready to make a quick statement against vulnerable Juventus

Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus meet in the UEFA Champions League giants’ first Group H clash at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. The Ligue 1 title-holders are doing well this domestic season with five wins from six while the Serie A giants are slow and have already drawn three times in five outings.

Without Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa, Juve lack three key elements and Massimiliano Allegri even admitted in the pre-match press conference that the Old Lady’s campaign could realistically only begin. once the French international would be back. The Italian tactician even spoke of a battle for second place with SL Benfica instead of vying with PSG for the top.

How to watch and odds

  • Date: Tuesday September 6 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Parc des Princes-Paris
  • Television and live broadcast: Paramount+
  • Odds: PSG-333; Draw +450; Juventus +800 (via Caesars Sportsbook)

“We are facing an opponent who is among the strongest in Europe, who this year I consider to be the favorite for the final,” Allegri said. “Tomorrow will be a good game, and we will definitely aim to play a great game from a technical point of view. We have to give our all and enjoy it. Not having Angel is a major loss. He and Paredes have increased the character of the game. “Team. Paredes and Di Maria are two amazing players, they will give us a lot. We didn’t want to risk Angel at the moment because there are many important matches ahead of us.”

It certainly looks like a meeting between two teams on totally different dynamics given the air of positivity surrounding Christophe Galtier’s French champions following his summer arrival. An impressive squad overhaul this summer also saw Leandro Paredes join ex-Parisians Di Maria and Adrien Rabiot in Turin as well as Julian Draxler joining Group H rivals Benfica.

“It’s a team with a lot of experience, with very high level players and a coach who knows this competition like the back of his hand,” said Galtier. “They’re always a tough team to beat. People say Juventus are struggling, they’re unbeaten in Serie A and have only conceded two goals. They’re hard to top with the intensity their players bring.

“Juventus are very strong in the transition. It’s a pity that Angel cannot return to the Parc des Princes. He marked the history of the club. He was an exemplary player and he played here. I think that “he would have been happy to take part in this game. When he plays, there is exceptional experience and quality, but I’m sure the player who will play in his place will also be of a very high level.

Home hopes rest on the triple threat of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar who have already sparkled at times this season with 16 goals and 11 assists combined. There are still questions over the hosts’ defense and especially since they missed key target Milan Skriniar from Juve’s Italian rivals Inter Milan, but the attack is already ruthless.

“It’s important for a club to face teams like Juventus,” said Mbappe. “We want to start this European campaign well at home. Our supporters expect a lot from us, we must perform well and chain result after result. This match comes at the right time to launch our European adventure and to continue our good form.”

Fortunately for the visitors, they have their own attacking ace in Dusan Vlahovic with the Serbian marksman already on four goals for the season with former Olympique de Marseille player Arkadiusz Milik already operational with two strikes since returning to Serie A. There is less service for the two without Di Maria and Chiesa, but the prolific pair can still find the net if allowed.

“We have to play as a team when we don’t have the ball,” Allegri explained. “Everything will be decided on the management of the ball, we will have to do our best. It will be a great challenge. Bonucci, Vlahovic, Rabiot and Perin are the only ones certain to play tomorrow night. I have not yet decided on the after.” From January, it will be another season. Now we have to stay calm and continue the work we have done.”

The composition of Group H makes PSG favorites for first place and Juve logically second, making Benfica an interesting dark horse with Portuguese powerhouse next for the Bianconeri at home after their trip to the French capital. Drawing a draw would be a very good result for Allegri’s men considering their missing pieces and it would also put Galtier’s side under pressure.

Perhaps the biggest threat, however, is a heavy defeat that would really put the pressure on Juve after another slow start and a few questions from Allegri even at the start of the campaign. Stem the tide and something can still be saved through improved form, but ominously succumb and alarm bells will start ringing across Turin.

Below you can check out all of Monday’s updates ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League action, and of course every game is only available on Paramount+.

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