Champions League day 3
Invincible in their domestic French Ligue 1 with 10 wins in as many games, PSG are having the most difficulties in a tough Champions League with last year’s finalists Liverpool and Italian giants Napoli. Determining which of the three teams will advance to the knockout phase is similar to playing an online casino with many options and outcomes.
At home PSG almost got their first defeat of the season if it was not for Di Maria to score at the last minute with a superb curved shot. PSG came from behind twice to save a point in a very entertaining match [2-2].
Regardless, PSG have almost no choice but to win at Napoli in two weeks to regain second place of the group and control their destiny.
Reactions after the game:
PSG Coach, Tuchel, on coming back in the game twice:
“Scoring in the last minute means you could look at it as a point won. It was very important not to lose tonight at the Parc des Princes. Our first 15 minutes were very good, but then we lost our structure, our confidence and we started losing the ball very easily. At half-time, I told the players we had to play more simply, faster and with more discipline. We needed to improve.
It was normal that they had opened the scoring, but their second goal was very frustrating. But we fought back a second time and that shows a good mentality. We have three matches left in the group and we want to win our head to head with Napoli first of all. It lasts 180 minutes and we have played 90.
It’s 2-2 and we have the chance to win it in two weeks. The players used up a lot of energy tonight. Now we have to work on our recovery for the next two days before training on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s match in Marseille. It’s an important week and we need to be ready.”
Napoli and Belgium National team forward Mertens was very disappointed:
“It’s a shame we conceded the equaliser in the end – we deserved to win. We’d have viewed a draw as a positive result before playing. But we put in a great display and a win could have been just reward.
I’m glad to have scored, less so with the way the match ended. Still we need to stay positive because we’re well-placed in a very tough group.
Now we have the reverse fixture at home. We’ll be able to play our game at the San Paolo. Anything can happen and we’ll give everything to qualify.”
