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Ancelotti: Paris Saint-Germain ready for Champions League
Sep 15, 2012 8:40:00 AM
The Italian coach believes his side are ready for their return to Europe's premier competition after recording a second successive victory in Ligue 1 at home to Toulouse on Tuesday
| Bet: | Returns: | FC Lorient £40.00 | Draw £35.00 | PSG £20.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | FC Lorient £42.00 | Draw £32.00 | PSG £19.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | FC Lorient £43.33 | Draw £33.00 | PSG £18.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | FC Lorient £40.00 | Draw £35.00 | PSG £19.10 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | FC Lorient £45.00 | Draw £34.00 | PSG £18.30 |
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Goals from Javier Pastore and Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved to be enough for Les Parisiens to follow up their victory against Lille before the international break.
And the former Chelsea boss has promised that his side's performances will improve going into their first continental fixture of the season, against Dinamo Kiev in Paris.
"The first victory here at Parc des Princes is important. We had a good match," the 53-year-old told the club's official website.
"It wasn't easy because Toulouse play attacking football and are well-organised. Defensively, we played well and we didn't concede any goals.
"Going forward, we linked up well to score. It's a great victory, and a good performance which allows us to follow up our win against Lille.
"We will improve and I think that we're ready for the Champions League. These two victories are good for the group."
Meanwhile, goalscorer Ibrahimovic is equally confident that the Ligue 1 side are ready to compete at the highest level, while highlighting the importance of Thiago Silva's imminent return to match action.
"I think that PSG are ready for the Champions League. It all starts now for us. We have a game every three days and have an intense schedule.
"Thiago Silva will return to the team for Tuesday's game. He will be very important for us."
The Brazilian defender joined PSG from AC Milan in the summer transfer window, but his participation at the Olympics and a minor injury have kept him out of action so far.
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
6:31 PM BST
Questions rolling in for our own Carlo Garganese over on Twitter, the most left-field of which comes 'I'm Moeg, Sien jy! @MurGyver 34s', who writes:
"Is it true that players can't wear underwear in the final?"
Surely you have to log on now for no other reason than to find out the answer to that cracking enquiry?!
"Is it true that players can't wear underwear in the final?"
Surely you have to log on now for no other reason than to find out the answer to that cracking enquiry?!
6:26 PM BST
Bayern have arrived at Wembley! The legendary Lothar Mattheus will obviously be cheering on die Roten this evening, but he is just hoping that Fussball is the winner tonight:
"The whole world will watch the game," the World Cup winner told Sky Sport Germany. "It electrifies the masses. Never before there was so much talk about a Champions League final than this time.
"Both groups of fans know the whole world is watching. We have to present ourselves similar to the way we did at WC 2006 because it brings a lot of sympathy. Today we have another chance to present Germany in a positive way."
Unfortunately, there were reports of some clashes between rival sets of fans earlier in the day, but, happily, the atmosphere at the ground is wonderfully good-natured.
"The whole world will watch the game," the World Cup winner told Sky Sport Germany. "It electrifies the masses. Never before there was so much talk about a Champions League final than this time.
"Both groups of fans know the whole world is watching. We have to present ourselves similar to the way we did at WC 2006 because it brings a lot of sympathy. Today we have another chance to present Germany in a positive way."
Unfortunately, there were reports of some clashes between rival sets of fans earlier in the day, but, happily, the atmosphere at the ground is wonderfully good-natured.
6:18 PM BST
Former Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was present at the Champions League festival earlier and he is tipping his former side for the title: "I think Bayern are a little stronger but if I was to have a bet, I would bet on Dortmund because that would win me more money!"
However, our tipster Hugh Wilson reckons that the value is a punt on both sides scoring in the first half ...
However, our tipster Hugh Wilson reckons that the value is a punt on both sides scoring in the first half ...
6:11 PM BST
Right, allow me to redirect you back to Twitter because Goal's Carlo Garganese has just logged on for a live Q&A session, so start tweeting him your questions.
6:08 PM BST
Dortmund are keen: They've already arrived at Wembley. Former Dortmund defender Christoph Metzelder can understand his old side's desire to get to the ground as early as possible. "This is the most horrible time ahead of the match," he told Sky Germany. "The tension is huge on the way to the stadium until you can finally warm-up and get on the pitch."
However, former Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld says it doesn't matter when Dortmund arrive, they're still not going to lift the Champions League tonight: "Bayern has to win the title; it's just their time. They won't let a third final in four years slip away from them."
However, former Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld says it doesn't matter when Dortmund arrive, they're still not going to lift the Champions League tonight: "Bayern has to win the title; it's just their time. They won't let a third final in four years slip away from them."
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