2023-10-05 00:49:39
Luis Enrique and PSG lost heavily this Wednesday in Newcastle. CARL RECINE / REUTERS
During a quickly dispatched press conference, the Parisian coach takes stock of this defeat at Newcastle.
At St-James’ Park
Responsible for the defeat… or not : «I am primarily responsible for the result, the first and only.»
The game : «It’s the kind of match that’s difficult for a coach to experience… Our attitude was good at the start of the game, we were good under the opposing pressure and we had a good chance with Ousmane Dembélé. The result is a little unfair, not completely, but a little… I congratulate Newcastle, who played very good football, but the final result is excessive.»
Why did you keep the four-attacker pattern after the break? : «We played the same system throughout the match. Why this choice ? Because I’m the coach, it’s up to me to decide. The result is very favorable for Newcastle but we do not deserve this result. A lack of aggressiveness in attack? Maybe in the last 20 meters. We had a lot of good positions. When the spaces are so small, you have to play better… It’s a bad result but we have to continue. (…) If I didn’t change at half-time, it’s because I thought it was the best choice. And I still think so.»
Mindset : «There was no problem in the attitude of my players, maybe you saw another match… We should have coped better with the opposing pressure. They did what I asked them to do, I’m happy with what they did… except in the last 20 meters. The result is correct, although a little excessive. We made mistakes on the goals, the kind of mistake you can’t make at this level.»
Read also PSG’s notes in Newcastle: Zaire-Emery tried, Marquinhos at fault and Mbappé non-existent
Newcastle deserved their victory, I congratulate them, but the end result is exaggerated.
Luis Enrique
Words to the group after the match and in the days to come : «I never talk to my players after a match, there are too many emotions. I prefer to speak calmly, when emotions have subsided.»
Worried about the rest of the competition : «After two matches, we are second in the group. It’s a very interesting group. Newcastle deserved their victory, I congratulate them, but the final result is exaggerated, it does not reflect the gap between the two teams. But we will have to improve certain things for the future… Defeat which hurts in the construction of a new PSG? I don’t know… The objective is to go to the round of 16, it’s a difficult group but we are second in the standings. The last matches will be interesting, but we will have to manage them better.»
Comments collected at a press conference (on Canal+ and RMC)
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