Dynamo power impresses Le Guen

Proud to be leading his charges into the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, Paris Saint-Germain FC coach Paul Le Guen will nonetheless go into Thursday's opening leg at the Parc des Princes with powerful impressions of visitors FC Dynamo Kyiv seared into his mind.

Dynamo recollections
The former defender featured for PSG in both their previous meetings with the same opponents – UEFA Champions League group stage wins in 1994/95 – but it is a more recent trip to Ukraine that has occupied his thoughts lately. "I had a chance to visit them and look around," he recalled, having been in contention for the job of Dynamo coach before joining Rangers FC in 2006. "I saw what a powerful club they are and how important they are. They have huge financial means and come from a football culture."

Outsider status
Le Guen is likewise conscious that Dynamo possess a team "built for the Champions League" as they transferred to the UEFA Cup from Europe's premier club competition. "We're certainly not favourites when you consider the potential of their squad and their finances, but we've been outsiders before," he explained. "That was true [in the Round of 32] against Wolfsburg, the German league leaders, but we pulled off a surprise there and we'll do what we can again."

League pressures
PSG experienced a timely return to form at the weekend, putting consecutive Ligue 1 defeats behind them to overcome OGC Nice 2-1 at home and stay within four points of leaders Olympique Lyonnais. They face another crucial test at LOSC Lille Métropole on Sunday, but Le Guen insisted league pressures will not interfere with their bid for a first European semi-final in 12 years. "We managed to [win our Round of 16 tie] against Braga between two difficult league games, so it's possible." he said.

Defensive concerns
Stalwarts Claude Makelele and Ludovic Giuly could well be rested, however, with Clément Chantôme slotting into midfield and Péguy Luyindula given a chance to add to his six goals in this season's competition. Zoumana Camara and Jérôme Rôthen return from domestic suspensions, the former bolstering a defence hit by injuries to Mamadou Sakho and Sylvain Armand and the latter a possible alternative at left-back.

Tactical options
The selection issue most taxing Yuri Semin is whether to field two strikers or one, with Ismaël Bangoura most likely to miss out if the Dynamo coach opts to boost midfield numbers. "We'll determine our strategy on the day of the game," said the 61-year-old, who is expected to unite Goran Sabljić and Ayila Yussuf in central defence as Dynamo target their first continental trophy since the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1985/86 without defensive duo Taras Mikhalik and Pape Diakhate due to knee injuries.

Semin praise
Having stretched their Ukrainian Premier League lead to 15 points with Sunday's 2-0 win at FC Metalurh Dontesk, Dynamo can nonetheless afford to put everything into Thursday's game. "We hope to still have important matches to play in May," said Semin, before returning Le Guen's compliments. "PSG are a well-balanced team and they can improvise," he explained. "The stadium is perfect and the atmosphere will be great."