Let’s start with the negative. So far, no French team, including PSG, has qualified for the next round of the Champions League after losing the first leg at home. Not necessarily reassuring for Kylian Mbappé and his teammates, beaten in the quarter-final first leg by Barça (2-3) last week and therefore forced to perform in Catalonia, Tuesday evening (9 p.m.), to avoid another disappointment European.
With a week of rest – no match this weekend in L1 unlike Barça in La Liga – PSG must therefore win by two goals to qualify directly or by one goal to play extra time. Far from impossible, especially against a team which nevertheless seems within its reach. And Luis Enrique also assured that his team could, and would, reverse the trend.
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The result (of the first leg) does not reflect what we would have deserved
“This second match is a little differenthe declared at a press conference. We haven’t played since the first leg, we had time to analyze and observe our mistakes to improve our performance. The first leg was very competitive. The result does not reflect what we deserved. We could have equalized. But we got this result. We must present a better version of ourselves. We are convinced that we will turn the situation around (…) I have a very close-knit group of players, where there are no egos. I’m happy with what the players are doing on the pitch. Many deserve to play more. Unfortunately, this is not possible. But no one is complaining.“
For the Spanish coach, his team must now “get up” And “improve“.”We must not exaggerate this defeat, we must accept it. We have to prepare ourselves to put in a good performance tomorrow (Tuesday). We want to give pleasure to our supporters“, he assured, assuring “know” what PSG “wants to do“to recover the score from the first leg.”We had time to better prepare our game plan. And I repeat, we are readyadded Luis Enrique. All the players on my team want to win. Everyone who is part of this team. PSG have never been able to qualify after losing in the first leg, but tomorrow will be the day we do it.”
For this, Paris, which had not lost since November 7 against AC Milan (1-2), will need profound readjustments, a great Kylian Mbappé and a more solid Gialuigi Donnarumma in Catalonia to hope reach the semi-finals, which the club has not reached since 2021. Will Tuesday be the big day?