There are defeats that hurt, and there are evenings that feel like a real nightmare. Paris Saint-Germain experienced the second option this Tuesday evening. Beaten at home by Bayern Munich (1-2) during the 4th day of the Champions League, the capital club not only conceded its first European setback of the season, but it also lost Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi to injury. A disaster scenario. At the microphone of Canal+, far from looking for excuses, coach Luis Enrique and his captain Marquinhos delivered an analysis of rare frankness, bluntly admitting the superiority of their opponent.
Luis Enrique: “At 11 against 11, Bayern were stronger, without a doubt”
This is a powerful admission from the Parisian coach. No tongue-in-cheek, no evasions. Luis Enrique recognized the Bavarian mastery, especially in the first half. “ At 11 against 11, Bayern were stronger, without a doubt,” he admitted. He also pointed out the fatal errors of his team: “ We gave the opponent some great gifts in the first half. We could have taken more. » A relentless lucidity which testifies to the failed performance of his men before the expulsion of Luis Diaz on the Bavarian side.
Marquinhos in tune: “They were superior to us”
Same story with captain Marquinhos, who also did not try to hide behind the facts of the game. It’s always hard to lose at home. We have to (…) play better,” he said. “We played a team that was in good shape, especially physically. We couldn’t get our game together. (…) We have to do better, they were superior to us. » A unanimous and clear observation from the two leaders of the Parisian locker room.
Injuries and a lack of realism that are costly
If the numerical superiority in the second half should have allowed PSG to turn the tide, the team lacked sharpness, only reducing the score too late by João Neves. “ We leave with a little bitter taste,” said goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. “The second half with their red card and the few chances, we thought we could come back. » But the real drama of the evening remains the injuries to Dembélé and Hakimi, on which Marquinhos remained evasive (“We have to wait for the exams”).
Bouncing back despite a “worst” schedule
This defeat, coupled with these major absences, places PSG in a delicate situation. Luis Enrique is aware of this: “ We know that our calendar is the worst. The next (matches) will be difficult. » The Spanish coach, however, does not want to panic, but the loss of his Ballon d’Or and his star full-back is a terrible blow. “The truth of today is not that of tomorrow,” philosophized Chevalier. “We have to stay united. »
A worrying setback before the sequel
PSG therefore suffered a double blow this Tuesday: a logical defeat against a superior opponent and the loss of two executives. The lucidity displayed by Luis Enrique and Marquinhos is to their credit, but it does not hide the growing concern. The team, so sovereign last year, seems more vulnerable. She will have to draw on her mental reserves to overcome this dark evening and move forward in a hellish schedule.
