PSG Start Off Campaign With Dominant Performance

Champions League 2019-20 match 1

Paris Saint-Germain started the new Champions League campaign at home and dominated Real Madrid 3-0. The French team signed the most noticeable victory in the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League so far this season. The Argentine international Di Maria scored a magnificent pair of goals in the first half and PSG never looked back.

Real Madrid tried to answer with Bale and Benzema but the Welsh got his goal denied for a handball right after PSG second goal. PSG have a recent history of failing in the Champions League elimination round, unable to move past the quarterfinal stage. The large win against Real Madrid bring confidence into a group that went through a lot with Neymar’s drama over the summer. 

The French Ligue 1 champions won’t be the favorites to win the Champions League but show they have a great team that can beat anyone in the competition.

Reactions post-game

PSG coach, Tuchel on the big performance:

“Winning against Real Madrid is always hard because they are a fantastic side, especially in the Champions League. We deserved to win because I think we played with more intensity and we had that little bit of luck you need to get that first goal.

Playing at the Parc, with our supporters is a big help, they motivate us to give everything.”

The recently transferred midfielder from Everton – Idrissa Gueye – played a great game against Real Madrid and shared also his views:

“The team really played well, against a very good team. We really worked hard as team, united, and it’s great way to start the group stage. The coach gave us lots of instructions, but first and foremost to enjoy it. I tried to do my job and help the team as best I could.”

Real Madrid coach, Zidane, on the loss:

“We really lacked intensity. At this level, if you don’t show intensity, you make life difficult. We lost all of our one-on-one battles. We know what a good team they are. It was a poor match for us. They were better, we weren’t at the level required”.

We started the game well and controlled the opening 15 minutes. But after that we lacked in all areas. We had two chances and scored two goals but they were ruled out. It’s very few. Sometimes we have a lot of chances and don’t score but we didn’t create enough today.

Now we have to think about the next game. The competition has just begun, we’re not happy with the performance but we have to think about the next game”.

Zidane on PSG:

“They were better than us in every respect. Their play, in the centre of the park, and what is most infuriating, in terms of intensity. The biggest concern is to see the team lacking the intensity required for this competition”.