PARIS, April 26, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain’s pursuit of a fifth
successive French Cup title will be bolstered by the return of Neymar and
Edinson Cavani from long-term injuries for Saturday’s showdown with Rennes at
the Stade de France.
Brazil star Neymar made his first appearance since January 23 as a second-
half substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Monaco as PSG celebrated clinching a
sixth Ligue 1 crown in seven years.
Cavani also returned to action, coming on for the final 17 minutes, as
PSG’s famed front three — which has accounted for 78 goals this season —
were reunited after months apart.
Coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he “worried” for PSG’s prospects after they
blew a third chance to wrap up the league at Nantes last week, but the German
struck a more positive note after watching his team belatedly seal the title.
“Our objective is clear: to win the double. We have to win on Saturday,”
said Tuchel, who is also set to welcome back Angel Di Maria after six weeks
out.
“The French Cup is very important to us, and we hope to clinch it and leave
nothing for the others,” added goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, his thoughts
echoed by defender Marquinhos.
“A title is always about honour and pride. We all know what our goal for
the season is, and that’s to win a maximum number of titles for the club,”
said the Brazilian.
Anything less than a domestic double for PSG, attempting to lift the French
Cup for a record 13th time, would cast further gloom over the Qatari-backed
club after their latest European failure.
But Gianluigi Buffon expects Rennes, who enjoyed their best ever run on the
continent this year by reaching the Europa League last 16, to present a
tricky test.
PSG beat Rennes 3-1 at Roazhon Park and won 4-1 at the Parc des Princes,
but Rennes will look for the ultimate revenge as they chase a first French
Cup in 48 years.
“The fact that it’s a one-off match, a final, brings the two sides closer
together, the gap isn’t as wide as it can be over 38 matches,” Buffon told
PSG TV.
“In the league our chances might have been 80-20, in the final it’s more
like 60-40 or 65-35, because it’s a final where anything can happen.”
Rennes won the trophy in 1965 and 1971, but the Brittany club have painful
memories of their past two finals — finishing as runners-up to neighbours
Guingamp in both 2009 and 2014.
“We have a bit more experience now than we did during our first games in
Europe but it’s still a totally different game,” said Rennes captain Benjamin
Andre.
“Lifting the trophy at the Stade de France would be great. We know the
expectations at Rennes. We’ll obviously give it our all like we do in each
match.”