SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/PSG PSG to keep close eye on Ronaldo at Champions League game against Real, coach Blanc says

Record ID: 135867

  • Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/PSG PSG to keep close eye on Ronaldo at Champions League game against Real, coach Blanc says
  • Date: 20th October 2015
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 20, 2015) (REUTERS) JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE / PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN COACH LAURENT BLANC AND PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER THIAGO SILVA ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE BLANC AND SILVA SITTING JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN COACH, LAURENT BLANC, SAYING: "We cannot consider not blocking Cristiano (Ronaldo) on set p
  • Embargoed: 4th November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5UI4SY08YRONIZ1Z41MZVWF7Q
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc said on Tuesday (October 21) his team has the capacity to win against Real Madrid in Champions League Group A at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
    PSG coach Laurent Blanc said during a news conference ahead of the match that he expects Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo to give his teams a "hard time" on the field, but added that there will not be any particular game tactic against the Portuguese player.
    "Before getting to Cristiano Ronaldo, there are plenty of things to do so that Cristiano Ronaldo touches the ball as little as possible, but we know he will get it (the ball) tomorrow and that he will give us a hard time, because he gives a hard time to all defenders and all teams in the world," Blanc said.
    Blanc said PSG centre back David Luiz picked up a knee injury in Brazil's 2-0 defeat by Chile in a World Cup qualifier and will be out of Wednesday's game.
    PSG defender Thiago Silva said the match will be difficult, especially because of notable absences like that of Luiz, but that those who do play will be particularly motivated.
    "It will be a difficult match, because the players will want to show the coach that they have the possibility to play and I think that we need to do our game, we don't need to think about Real Madrid. As the coach often says, we need to do our game. If we play as usual, with ball control, I think we can play a great game tomorrow," Silva said.
    Real are top of Group A with a maximum six points, leading PSG on goal difference.
    Blanc said PSG is up against a great team, a 'giant of Europe', but added he is confident his team can win.
    "And I think that tomorrow - and players need to be convinced of this, and it will be my role to convince them if they are not - tomorrow we can win. We can win because we have the qualities for winning, we have got the motivation to do it, we are (playing) home, we are at home, because last year we managed to win (against) some big (teams) of Europe, I am thinking particularly at FC Barcelona last year at home. So that's it, we can do this. Whether we are going to do it tomorrow, I hope it. But we need to prepare for this match with lots of desire and motivation, by respecting the opponent, of course, but by being sure that by playing our game we can win tomorrow, and that we can also win other matches," Blanc said.
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