Girard: PSG dangerous wounded animal
Lille coach Rene Girard is more than aware of the "wounded animal" mentality Paris Saint-Germain will bring to their clash on Saturday, following the French Ligue 1 champions' European exit. The Parisians were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Barcelona on Tuesday, and must return to the task of defending their French crown when they tackle Lille in Saturday's early kick-off.
Lyon, level on points with PSG but having played a game more, will be the last to take the field on Sunday, and Laurent Blanc's capital side can take the early advantage in the fight for the title, even if they may be smarting from a 5-1 aggregate loss to Barcelona.
Girard is expecting an old-fashioned backlash, with Lille themselves chasing a European spot for next season, as he told a press conference: "A wounded animal is always dangerous. We must therefore be careful. We want to be up for the event. Despite their elimination in the Champions League, PSG are a great team."
"It will be necessary to show that after the elimination in the Champions League, we wish to offer our fans the championship."
Serge Aurier, Paris Saint-Germain defender.
Defender Serge Aurier is keen to bring the smiles back to the Parc des Princes, although in theory that should not be hard given Paris Saint-Germain's five straight domestic wins include their Coupe de la Ligue final triumph.
"We will play at home, and it will be necessary to show that after the elimination in the Champions League, we wish to offer our fans the championship," Aurier told his club website. "Whatever the opposite team, you have to be better and to want to win everything."