Preview: 5 things about Paris - Zagreb

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On Thursday evening, during EHF Champions League Matchday 4, Paris Saint-Germain Handball will try to confirm their positive European dynamic as they host Zagreb at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin.

1 - THE TABLE

After a defeat in their opening match, in Veszprém (36-34), Les Rouge et Bleu made up for it in the last two games. Winners over Plock (37-33) and Magdeburg (22-29), they are currently in second place in Group A, just behind the Hungarians.

Zagreb, on the other hand, needed two games to unlock their account. After losing to GOG on their home court (27-31), the Croatians were then beaten 35-25 in Magdeburg, before recording their first win last week against Porto (29-23). With two points, they sit in sixth. 

2 - SOME STATS

On Thursday, we will see a match between two teams that defend well. With 91 and 89 goals conceded respectively, Paris and Zagreb occupy the sixth- and fifth-best defensive positions in the competition. A performance that the capital club owes in part to Jannick Green, who had a magnificent turn against former club Magdeburg.

Offensively, the Parisians are also shining, with 100 goals scored - including 20 for Kamil Syprzak (third-top scorer in the competition). In this area, things seem a bit tougher for our future opponents, who have only scored 81 times. Only Porto (74) have done worse across both groups. However, Zagreb can rely on an excellent striker.

3 - DIBIROV THE DANGER MAN 

After nine seasons with Vardar Skopje, where he won two Champions League titles - in 2017 (under Raul Gonzalez) and 2019 (alongside Dainis Kristopans) - Timur Dibirov joined RK Zagreb this summer. The 39-year-old Russian left-winger is as sharp as ever and is currently his team's top scorer with 15 goals. In fact, he is on a ten-goal run against Porto.

4 - HEAD TO HEAD 

This is the 11th time the two clubs have faced each other on the European stage. The first was eight years ago, on 5 October 2014, when Les Rouge et Bleu won 27-22, thanks in particular to eight goals from Mikkel Hansen. In total, Paris have eight wins against Zagreb, with one defeat and one draw.

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Kick-off: 20:45
At the Stade Pierre de Coubertin: our ticket office
Television: Eurosport 2
Social networks: Live-tweet

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)