After the comeback against FC Barcelona, the overthrow at the Parc des Princes by Manchester United or the crushing blow inflicted by Demba Ba with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain experienced another spectacular exit from the road in the Champions League. This time around, it was Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid who played the role of executioner in the round of 16. Nevertheless, reading the two meetings, it is difficult not to see a PSG which again dug its own grave on Wednesday evening in Spain.
“Donnarumma is tainted by the sufficiency of his teammates”
A scathing statement shared by Jean-Michel Larqué. Asked by Point, the RMC Sport consultant and former player of the Parisian team is not kind to Neymar and his teammates. “It is sure, it is a big fiasco. I do not want to pass for a piss-cold, but, at the end of the first leg, I was stunned by certain reactions. It was only 1-0 in favor of PSG, but they considered the deal already in the bag. We were faced with a blissful and childish optimism. Outdoor meetings are always very complicated, and we have seen how it can change. »
3 – Paris conceded 3 goals in 16 minutes and 41 seconds, a first in a Champions League match since March 8, 2017 against Barcelona (6-1). Reassembled. #RMAPSG pic.twitter.com/s0XpJppjji
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 9, 2022
After the advantage obtained in the first leg on a feat by Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain could once again count on their striker in great shape to open the scoring at the Bernabeu in the first period. However, despite having a two-goal advantage, Mauricio Pochettino’s side collapsed on the hour mark with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s error which revived the Madrid side. A fault on the part of the Italian goalkeeper who says a lot, according to Jean-Michel Larqué: “Benzema is 15 meters from him on his control, Donnarumma is simply contaminated by the sufficiency of his teammates. He must give his ball well before. He thinks there will be no pressing, because he thought he was in training. The punishment is logical and even deserved, we are in the Champions League! In this team, we are so navel-gazing that we forget that there is an opponent in front, we forget the difficulties. »
Without Mbappé, what future for this team?
“If we debrief the three hours of this opposition, continues Jean-Michel Larqué, we saw a very average Real Madrid which eliminates PSG. They were only good for half an hour, that puts the performance of the Parisians into perspective. Real were non-existent on the way out and harmless for an hour on the way back. What more can I say… PSG is an operetta team, with a great lack of humility. “For the tenth consecutive year since the takeover of the club by QSI, the cup with the big ears once escaped the club of the capital.
Did the Parisians see themselves as too beautiful after their famous transfer window deemed the “best in history” last summer? It must be said that the praises of the start of the season quickly gave way to skepticism after the numerous absences of Sergio Ramos and the delicate performances of Georginio Wijnaldum. Then, the inability of Lionel Messi to carry this team during major meetings showed that PSG had finally missed out on its recruitment, while European leaders were much more consistent in their transfers.
Eliminated from the Coupe de France and far ahead in the league, with a 13-point lead over Nice, Paris Saint-Germain are preparing for a very special end to the season with almost non-existent challenges. It is indeed the question of the aftermath that will agitate the backstage of the Parc des Princes, starting with the case of Kylian Mbappé. At the end of the contract next June, the 23-year-old striker has still not extended and the incredible scenario experienced at the Bernabeu could weigh in the balance. Jean-Michel Larqué does not hide his concern about the probable departure of the world champion. “I think yesterday they lost more than a game. Without him, it will be a picky team, which will no longer have any major advantage. It is a club that does not know how to reinvent itself. »
A special welcome at the Park on Sunday
Within the Parisian staff, heads will undoubtedly roll after this new resounding failure. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, under contract until June 2023, should not be retained at the end of the season. Furious against arbitration, sporting director Leonardo and president Nasser al-Khelaïfi also represent the inability of PSG to win the most beautiful of European competitions. Jean-Michel Larqué hopes for changes after years of a sports project that has almost become secondary to the club’s marketing ambitions. “They haven’t been in the truth for years. They keep taking lessons from coaches who have been there, coaches who have won European titles like Thomas Tuchel and Unai Emery. It’s a club of masos, they will never succeed as long as the club remains like that. The project today is to develop the Paris Saint-Germain brand. We see it with the store in New York… We are swimming in delirium. »
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Pending possible changes, the Parisians may fear a special welcome from the Parc des Princes on Sunday, at 1 p.m., against Bordeaux. The Ultras of the capital club had been very virulent during the reception of Rennes last month, with several critical banners. “A neglected formation, a discipline to be desired, overpaid mercenaries. Leonardo: time to clear? ! “Or” Disrespectful leaders, players without envy, jerseys without our colors, the only hat-trick of PSG this year! In the midst of a storm, the Parisian ship is still likely to rock many times over the next few weeks.
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