Paris Saint-Germain lost to Liverpool (0-1) Wednesday in the round of 16 Champions League on a goal against the course of the game at the end of the game. If the defeat is collective, Nuno Mendes, the Parisian left side, carries a part of responsibility in this reverse.
The Portuguese had perfectly muzzled Mohamed Salah during most of the match, but lacked vigilance after the release of the Reds striker. Harvey Elliott, who came into play in the place of the Egyptian in the 86th minute, was able to take advantage of the lack of attention of Mendes to crucify the red and blue in stride. An error that somewhat tarnishes its performance.
A necessary mental work
Bixente Lizarazu, former left side of the French team, returned to the match of the PSG defender. According to him, Mendes must learn to maintain his concentration throughout the matches.
“It has enormous defensive potential, with its speed, its athletic capacities. But what he was able to do with Salah to go, he must be able to do it all the time. Faced with Elliott, you can't have an oversight. His problem is there, in concentration. Wednesday, he gave me the impression of being dominant and to say to himself: 'There is Salah, I must be there.' And suddenly, he disconnected. And at the high level, for a defender, a fortiori a side, a hyperexposed position, which is faced with confusing wingers, you cannot afford to flutter like that … “launched the 1998 world champion in the columns of The team.
The ex-Bavarois believes that the progression of the LisBotic will go through mental work. “This mental evolution belongs to him. To defend is a mentality, an ability to be focused. I do not personally know Nuno. But this concentration limit, it does not work as a technical gesture. She works through work on oneself ”, concluded the native of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
