Lucas Hernandez has joined the host of Paris Saint-Germain players who have expressed their confidence at overcoming Liverpool in Tuesday’s Champions League second leg.
The French champion trails 1-0 from the first meeting in the last 16 tie, which was settled by Harvey Elliott’s late strike. That was one of just two shots Liverpool mustered on the night, in comparison to PSG’s 27.
Luis Enrique’s players were livid they didn’t win at the Parc des Princes, especially given this new version of the club is seeking to release itself from the shackles of the previous star-studded PSG sides who habitually failed in the Champions League knockout stages.
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Few can doubt, certainly based on last week’s display, that the Parisians are among Europe’s elite sides, but the vociferous response to losing the first leg has taken some by surprise. Vithina was most vocal, and confidently stated: “We're going to score and we're going to go through, I'm sure of it.”
Few opposition sides head to Anfield for a European night with such bluster and self-belief, but several of Vithinha’s team-mates have expressed similar views. Lucas Hernandez joined that group on Saturday, speaking after PSG’s Ligue 1 victory over Rennes.
“We are very confident. We played a good match in the first leg. We are aware of that,” the defender told RMC Sports. “Today, we played another good match. Everyone is confident, wants this match to happen, hoping to qualify of course.
“Everyone wants to qualify; it's an objective. We know that it's not going to be easy, it's never easy to play at Anfield. But, we have great players, a great group, a superb team. Frankly, we are in a very good dynamic and we hope to do what is necessary at Anfield.”
On the victory over Rennes, which was achieved despite eight players dropping out of the XI from the side that started against Liverpool, Hernandez said: “We did what it took to win this match. We were focused on winning this match, continuing to show that we are a great team.
“We take all the matches seriously. That's what made the difference today, to continue to prepare ourselves to arrive in the best possible shape for Tuesday.”
