It is an action that has caused a lot of ink to flow. Who fueled the discussions – sometimes heated – in front of the coffee machines or on the zinc bars of Parisian bistros. Two weeks ago, on March 8, PSG were eliminated in the knockout stages of the Champions League by Bayern. An exit through the small door. During the defeat (2-0) in the return match, an action had sparked debate.
In the 61st minute of the match, after an exchange with Fabian Ruiz, El Chadaille Bitshiabu finds himself on the left side outside the box. Faced with pressure from Thomas Müller, the 17-year-old chooses a hook that brings him back to his area and continues with a pass in the direction of Marco Verratti, ten meters at the edge of the area. Despite the presence of two opponents, the Italian chose to dribble… but lost the ball. Thomas Müller passes to Leon Goretzka who shifts Éric Choupo-Moting, alone at the far post, for the opener and the end of the suspense for the Paris camp.
The question was who had made the biggest mistake on this first goal between Marco Verratti and El Chadaille Bitshiabu? For some, the youngest’s lack of experience had been prohibitive. For others the fault fell to Verratti.
Two weeks after the events, the Italian has not shied away from his responsibilities. On the eve of the shock against England in the qualifying matches for the next Euro, he returned to this action with PSG during the traditional press conference. Verratti, appointed captain of the Nazionale due to the absence of Leonardo Bonucci, accepts his error.
“I had so many congratulations for a long time in France, there I made a mistake, the criticisms are logical”, also assumed the 30-year-old player on Sky Sport. Criticism is part of football, I made a mistake and I was criticized. I know when I’m wrong, I have broad shoulders. I have a huge passion for football, a criticism will not stop me. »
The “Little Owl”, who alternates good quality performances or those to forget with PSG, also returned to rumors on the other side of the Alps which announce his return to Serie A. Verratti, who recently extended until in 2026, guaranteed to feel “good” at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and still have ambition. “The dream is to win the Champions League with Paris-SG, even if year after year it becomes more and more difficult… I will try as much as possible,” he announced.
