Christophe Galtier insists he is not feeling any extra pressure to lead Paris Saint-Germain to a first Champions League title ahead of Tuesday's opening group stage match against Juventus.
Despite investing heavily since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) completed their 2011 takeover of the club, PSG are yet to be crowned champions of Europe and have suffered several humiliating exits from the continent's premier competition.
Last season, Real Madrid produced the first of several extraordinary Champions League turnarounds at PSG's expense in the last 16, leading the Parisians' star attackers to be jeered by their own supporters in subsequent matches.
Mauricio Pochettino's reign as coach, meanwhile, never appeared likely to recover from that elimination, but successor Galtier is not worrying about the expectations in Paris.
"Do I think there is more pressure on me? Not at all. I accepted the pressure when I accepted this job, and coaching this magnificent team," Galtier said.
"Do I feel more pressure in this competition? No, not at all. I am really looking forward to being involved and showing what we are capable of.
"I didn't say no pressure, but no extra pressure."
Asked whether PSG were the favourites to lift the trophy, Galtier added: "No. That would be disrespectful to the other teams.
"There are always eight or nine who feel they can win the Champions League every year. Out of those, of course, there are favourites that do not go all the way. There have been surprises and incredible matches.
"The club's ambition is to win it, whether we are favourites or not. The best players in the world are in this competition. It's as simple as that."
The 2022-23 campaign represents PSG's 11th consecutive season in the Champions League – among French clubs, only Lyon have ever had a longer uninterrupted run of qualifications for the tournament (12 from 2000-01 to 2011-12).
PSG have progressed from their group on each of their last 10 Champions League entries, last falling at the first hurdle in 2004-05.
While PSG's clash with Juventus represents one of the highlights of the Champions League's opening matchday, the hosts will be unable to welcome former winger Angel Di Maria back to the Parc des Princes after the Bianconeri new boy suffered a calf injury.
But Galtier is taking no pleasure from his absence, adding: "It's a shame that Di Maria cannot come back to the Parc des Princes.
"He made history at this club, an exemplary player who performed very well. I can't say I am pleased that he is out because he is injured, I know he would have liked to play.
"He brings his quality and experience, but I am convinced that whoever comes in will also be a top-level player."
PSG are looking to maintain a fine home record when they host the Bianconeri – the Parisians have only lost one of their last 30 home games in the Champions League group stage (24 wins, five draws), losing 2-1 to Manchester United in October 2020.
Ancelotti lauds Real Madrid goalscorer Vinicius after first-leg double
Carlo Ancelotti believes Vinicius Junior is constantly developing his attacking output, after the Real Madrid forward delivered again in the Champions League.
Vinicius scored twice as Madrid drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday.
Those strikes took Vinicius to 31 goal involvements (16 goals, 15 assists) in the Champions League since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, which is more than any other player in the competition in the same time period.
Vinicius' opener came when he cut inside and latched onto an exceptional pass from Toni Kroos, and Ancelotti pointed out how the Brazil international is beginning to change how he attacks.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Ancelotti said: "Vinicius is starting to understand how important it is for him to move inside the pitch and not only close to the line.
"He's learned really well how to move. It was a fantastic pass from Kroos but a fantastic run from Vinicius."
Reflecting on his team's performance, Ancelotti said: "It was an interesting game, an open game of course – as it has to be for a semi-final. I think we could play better, I don’t think we played our best and we had problems in the first half.
"We started to put pressure on in the second half to level the game – it was much better.
"We are comfortable with a low block but we didn’t play with intensity. With a low block you have to have intensity, you have to win duels, second balls. We were too low. We tried to change something.
"The game was difficult at 2-1 down, but then we had the energy and character to equalise – the second part of the second half was really good."
Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal: Holders into King's Cup final
Al Hilal overcame Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's red card as Saud Abdulhamid's late goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Al Ittihad in the King's Cup semi-finals.
Without Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad ultimately lacked the firepower to make their numerical advantage count in Tuesday's clash.
Former Lazio midfielder, who joined Al Hilal as part of their spending spree last year, received a straight red card in the 42nd minute.
Al Ittihad's Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah cancelled out Micheal's opener, but Abdulhamid popped up with the winner in the 81st minute.
Al Hilal are 10-time King's Cup winners, having won their 10th title last season.
The Saudi Pro League leaders, who are still without the injured Neymar, will now face either Al Khaleej or Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the final at the end of May.
Data Debrief: Malcom in the middle
Al Hilal might be missing their star Brazilian Neymar, but his compatriot Malcom is delivering when it comes to playmaking.
The former Zenit attacker set up both of Al Hilal's goals, creating three chances in total and registering a pass accuracy of 92.6 per cent, better than any of his team-mates.
Former Spain boss Del Bosque to oversee RFEF
Former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque will oversee a new committee supervising the RFEF.
Spain, which is due to be one of six host countries for the 2030 World Cup, announced the creation of a special committee until the federation holds elections to replace Luis Rubiales.
That is despite Pedro Rocha having this week been appointed as Rubiales' replacement, though he himself is under investigation amid a corruption probe.
Rubiales was dismissed following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony in 2023.
The federation's former president was then arrested in early April as part of a corruption investigation.
Del Bosque led Spain to three consecutive trophies, winning the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, while also leading the team to their first World Cup success in 2010.
Prior to his time with the national team, he also won two Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles while in charge of Real Madrid, where he made over 400 appearances as a player.
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