Annonay excited to face the best

Two years ago, if you had told PSG goalkeeper Patrice Annonay that he would be playing a Champions League game against FC Barcelona this Sunday, he would not have believed you.

One of only three players in the Parisian squad who was there two seasons ago, he has fought hard to keep his place in the squad.

“I wanted to be part of this team. I wanted to play with all these world-class players. Of course, I thought at some point that they were going to recruit some superstar to replace me, but thankfully, I'm still there,” said the 34-year-old.

Being there is one thing, but playing a major role is another. With 19 saves against Vardar, Annonay been one of the key elements of the draw that the French team brought home from Skopje in Round 3, but even so, he is not quite happy.

“I think this is a game we should have won. We were leading by five goals five minutes from the end and then our attack didn't adapt to Vardar's defensive changes, some fast breaks, and then a draw at the end. It shows you how quickly situations can change in this competition,” said Annonay.

Lying just fourth in Group C, PSG will meet Barcelona on Sunday, for what looks like a very exciting encounter, overloaded with star players.

“I don't think that Barcelona has got many weak points, if you see what I mean. We'll have to have good efficiency in attack to have a chance to win.

"Barcelona have got two very good goalkeepers and very good players in every position. My very good friend Cedric Sorhaindo is also there too,” explained Annonay.

Meeting old friends

The Barcelona line player, who played in Paris when he was younger, has kept some links to Paris.

"I called Patrice just yesterday. Of course it will be special, loads of family will be there, I started handball in mainland France with Patrice Annonay in Angers, so for sure this game will have a special taste for me,” said Sorhaindo.

There will be five French national team players on the court on Sunday, three in the PSG camp and two in Barcelona’s, so it will be a special game for many people. However, Patrice Annonay thinks that no-one will take that in consideration as soon as they set foot on the court.

"All of them are professionnal players, we'll all have a nice dinner on sunday night, but before that it will be 100% concentration. Barcelona did the same result as we did in Skopje, so on paper, we should be able to stay level. I'm looking forward to seeing if we really can," concluded Annonay

Photo credit: Team Pics / PSG