PSG vs Bayern Munich: Mauricio Pochettino's reaction when asked if he is a favorite in the series

PSG took a real blow in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final by beating Bayern Munich 3-2 away. This Tuesday, the French team will seek to confirm their passage to the semifinals of the competition at the Parc des Princes. However, Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the team, doesn't underestimate the German resistance. Hence his reaction when asked at a press conference if Paris Saint-Germain's the favorite in the series.

“The favorite in theory is always the champion. They're the best team in the world right now, they just won six titles. We have to respect that. We're aspirants", said the coach at the press conference; It is worth remembering that PSG precisely lost the final of the last edition against Munich. “If we pass it will be something important for this club, reaching the semifinals. But our aspiration is always to win titles", he added.

Pochettino acknowledged that in the great duels of this season his team is playing better away from home than in their stadium and appealed to "the collective attitude, but also aptitude" to overcome a rival who dominated them in the first leg, despite the Outcome. “We have to have a different attitude than we had in the second leg against Barcelona. Not only do we have to defend ourselves, we also have to try to have the ball and attack the rival, that is our great challenge", he said.

"Barcelona's already past. Bayern are a different team, they are the best in the world and they will create difficulties for us, as they did in the first leg. We have to have the ability to manage those moments of difficulty, as happened in Munich", he said.

The coach assured that the Argentine striker Mauro Icardi will not be on the list, while doubts remain about the Brazilian central defender Marquinhos and the Italian midfielder Marco Verratti. Regarding both, he warned that they will probably not be in the starting eleven, but they can integrate the group and go out throughout the duel.

The second captain of the team, French defender Presnel Kimpembe, for his part, pointed out that they face the duel "with confidence" but "with respect for the best team of the moment". "Eliminating Bayern would be something great," said the youth squad, who pointed out that if Marquinhos does not play and wears the captain's armband he will try to "breathe positive energy into the team".