The 47-year-old says he is expecting a "hot atmosphere"
in Greece on Tuesday and is hoping the Parisians can improve on last year's
quarter-final finish.
Laurent Blanc hopes his Paris Saint-Germain side can make
further strides in this season's Champions League and reach the semi-finals,
though he admits it will be challenging.
Les Parisiens reached the quarter-finals of the
competition last season after being eliminated by Barcelona.
However, their coach has set the bar higher for them this
year as they get set to kick off Group C action against Olympiakos in Greece on
Tuesday - where he expects there to be a "hot" atmosphere.
“Every match is different but our aims remain the same –
to win,” he told reporters.
“Their fans will create a hot atmosphere. I remember them
from when I came here with Bordeaux and also during my playing days.
“We will stick to our natural game, retaining possession
regardless of what tactics Olympiakos adopt. If we keep the ball, we minimise
the risk of conceding.
“To do better than last season would mean to reach the
semi-finals, which will be a challenge.
“However, first of all we need to navigate the group, get
as many points as possible and win tomorrow.”
The coach revealed they will also be without defender
Marquinhos and says he will wait to decide who will replace him.
“Marquinhos is not ready to play 90 minutes," he
added. However, things have changed without Alex. There are two players that
can cover in his absence, but this is a decision I will make after the last
training session.
“Olympiakos are an attacking team who score freely. They
are also very good from set pieces.”
PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu backed up his coach's
comments, admitting they should not be favoured for an easy win when they
travel to the Karaiskakis Stadium for the first meeting between the two teams.
“This match is entirely different than any of the French
league," Sirigu added. "A French side against a historic club from
abroad, in a foreign stadium packed with fervent supporters.
"There are no easy games and I do not agree with us
being labelled by the press as favourites in this group.
“We are strong but we respect our opponents. We are
playing against the Greek champions, who have a consistent presence in the
competition. It will be a tough match in their home ground, in this atmosphere,
for me especially, it will be hard.”
Olympiakos coach Michel is aware of the threat the
visitors pose, but insists he will not change his tactics to accommodate the
French side.
“Although we have had a significant turnover in players,
the same can be said of PSG, who will also be going through a transitional
period. We know them very well. They have great players and this is an exciting
challenge for us.
“We won’t change our tactics from game to game because
our team has been built to play a certain way. It’s about being strong at both
ends of the pitch. Our style of play has yielded some impressive results on the
domestic front and we hope to carry that form into Europe.
“My players have the necessary experience to cope with
such encounters. This is a match for glory and they need to channel their
emotions in the best possible way. They are motivated, ambitious and can’t wait
to start.”
The match kicks off at 20:45 CET, while in other group C
action, Belgian side Anderlecht travel to Portugal to take on last year’s
Europa League runners-up Benfica.
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