It was a new English test for Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday. After manhandling Chelsea (5-2/3-0) in the round of 16, the Ile-de-France club found Liverpool, a team dismissed last season during the French club’s epic journey to the final coronation. A match which was ultimately one-sided as the domination of Luis Enrique’s men was total. It’s simple, Paris Saint-Germain sent 18 shots including 12 on target compared to only 3 for the Reds, who failed to score for the first time in five years in the competition. A difference in the content which was not sufficiently reflected in the final result and this leaves a little bitter taste despite the good match of the Ligue 1 leader.
“It’s clearly a shame, I think we played a match worthy of our supporters. We played very well, we deserved more goals and I think it’s a shame, because we did some very clear things in the second half. But it’s the Champions League and you have to know that there is still the second match, but we are happy. It’s a surprise, it’s the first time they’ve played five-a-side this year. They change a few things, it’s normal the opponents adapt to us. We’re used to it, there’s no problem. Whatever the match or the stadium, PSG will try to win as usual. We know it will be difficult at Anfield which is special“, declared on Canal + a Luis Enrique already riveted on the return match.
The Parisians would have liked to score more
His teammates also have some regrets and expressed it like the second scorer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: “I think we had the opportunities to score more. We should have scored more goals. But I think it’s good, we had a good match, we’re going to play at Anfield, in an incredible atmosphere. We are ready and we will prepare today for this return match. The Georgian is not the only one to make this observation since it is shared by Achraf Hakimi: “yes I think we had clear opportunities to score more goals. We left Liverpool alive for the second leg, but we are happy with the performance and we have to continue like this for the second leg. We must continue with the same strategy that we have been implementing for a long time. We must not think about what Liverpool are doing and we must make sure we do what we know how to do well in every match.»
Author of a remarkable performance and elected man of the match by the editorial team of French Football Weekly, Warren Zaire-Emery also regretted this lack of efficiency to worsen the mark: “we could have scored more (goals) frankly, it’s a shame, but that’s already winning 2-0, even if nothing is done. We go there with the same intentions and try to win the match. “It’s a difficult team to play against, we don’t know what can happen in one match, so we’ll have to be serious and do the same.” A frustrating evening which, however, does not remain negative, quite the contrary. With this victory, the Parisians are in ideal conditions before the return match, even if they remain alert to a possible revolt by the Reds.
