PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain appeared to be in trouble when they won only one of their first four matches in the Champions League this season, but six points from their final two games proved enough to send them through to the knockout stages.
The French champions reached the round of 16 on Tuesday thanks to inspired performances by Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe in a 4-1 win at Red Star Belgrade.
All three forwards scored in an intimidating atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic stadium, and defender Marquinhos was also on target to cancel out a volley by Red Star defender Marko Gobeljic.
The result lifted PSG to the top of Group C on 11 points, two ahead of Liverpool who also qualified thanks to a 1-0 home win over Napoli that left them ahead of the Italian side on goals scored.
Mbappe believes his team's turnaround was the result of clear-the-air talks in the dressing room after their wobbly start.
The 19-year-old told RMC Sport: "I don't think the team's improved; it's more that we had a realisation.
"We started performing and did what was asked of us. We asked questions of ourselves as individuals and as a team. You have to be able to speak frankly to each other. We did that and got our reward."
PSG started their European campaign this term with a 3-2 loss to Liverpool and coach Thomas Tuchel was delighted with the way his team have bounced back.
"It's not about the system, but about the attitude. It's really hard to win here and the guys played magnificently," he told RMC Sport.
"It was a difficult group with a lot of quality. It was hard, especially after our first match in Liverpool. The team showed they could play together."
Mbappe set up goals for Cavani and Neymar and was assisted by the latter for his own strike, and he was keen to praise the qualities of his attacking teammates.
"I have the chance to play with two great players. When we play like tonight, it's good for everyone," said the Frenchman.
"They are players who have nothing to prove to anyone. Cavani is the leading goalscorer in the club's history; Neymar is one of the best in the world.
"We have to go forward and look at what is ahead. We're looking at the last 16 and we'll see what happens in the draw (on Monday)."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
UEFA Champions League: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit to face Manchester United, says PSG coach Description: Neymar missed the last three months of last season as a result, including the second leg of PSG's Champions League last-16 defeat against Real Madrid. He only returned just in time for the World Cup.
'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit to face Man Utd, says
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused December 30, 2018 admin 0 Comments Football , Sport London - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focussed - Pulse Nigeria
Teenage Italy midfielder Zaniolo oozes Roman pedigree
Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job | Sports News
New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first game. Soccer Football - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Test Event - Under 18 Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - Tottenham Hotspur
New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first game
Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media, says Pogba. Speaking ahead of France's Euro 2020 qualifier against Moldova on Friday, the Manchester United midfielder also said
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling treated differently by
Brains Over Brawn is the one of the Forge Quests in Castaway 2, it is completed from the item that been required from the one of the Forges in Castaway 2. Be notice that you will follow the quest, the description of the quest is the clue, which there is a item that you need to required to
Brains Over Brawn | Dead Rising Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia
Ronaldo not enough as Juventus crash out to Ajax young guns situation for a while and that can only be sustained for so long. investment with the club announcing expected losses for this
How a Soccer Star Is Made - The New York Times
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain may have clinched their long-expected sixth Ligue 1 title in the past seven seasons, but that triumph cannot mask the French club's shortcomings on the European stage where results have failed to match their huge investments.
Ligue 1 dominance cannot mask PSG's European failure | Free
March 4 - FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted at a potential joint Korean bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup. Australia, Japan, South Africa and New Zealand have already expressed their interest in hosting the tournament. The FIFA boss was talking on the sidelines of a meeting of the
North and South Korea joint Women's World Cup bid would be
Football news - Huddersfield end losing run with 0-0 draw at Cardiff Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow
Football: Huddersfield end losing run with 0-0 draw at Cardiff
Rangers have signed Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe and Southampton midfielder Steven Davis on loan. Ex-Tottenham forward Defoe, 36, who won 57 England caps, has made only eight appearances for
Football: Scottish title-chasing Rangers sign Jermain Defoe
Apr 02, 2019 · Built on the site of the old White Hart Lane, their spectacular new home, known for now as The Tottenham Hotspur stadium, has a capacity of 62,062, which makes it the second largest club stadium
Bayern Munich Signing Leroy Sane Would Mark The Start of a
0 comments:
Post a Comment