A few days ago, AS Saint-Etienne manager Claude Puel laid out a simple game plan for his squad in the Coupe de France. Finish the match with eleven men if they want to stand a chance against Paris Saint-Germain.
Loïc Perrin thinks that they’ll have to do more than that to pull off the upset. In an interview with L’Equipe, the 34-year-old talked about how difficult it will be to slow down Les Parisiens if they are on top of their game.
Despite their last three matches being friendlies, Saint-Etienne sees that PSG has outscored their opponents 20-0. Whatever rust some thought the capital club would have, it isn’t there.
“Of course, we are far from being favorites. We have often failed against Paris-SG. If PSG is at its level, it will be complicated. But it is never mission impossible,” Perrin said. “Others, like Rennes last year, have done so. So there is always a little hope. If we have a good evening and they don’t, anything can happen.”
Although they’re the underdog, Perrin and his teammates are trying to draw inspiration from Stade Rennais FC. Les Rennais were able to pull off a Coupe de France win last year versus PSG.
However, Julien Stéphan does seem to outcoach Thomas Tuchel when the two meet. Meanwhile, Puel’s squad was outscored 10-1 in their two meetings this season.
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