Paris put itself in difficulty this Tuesday by losing (2-1) in Portugal against Sporting in the C1 League phase. A second defeat in the competition after the home setback on November 4 against Bayern Munich (1-2). Enough to complicate his task to qualify directly for the round of 16. Everything will be decided on January 28 at the Parc des Princes against Newcastle. To discuss these annoyances, Luis Enrique was at a press conference after the meeting.
How do you explain this defeat?
Luis Enrique. It’s very easy to explain. It’s football. It’s our best away game this season. We were better than the opponent. We clearly deserved to win. It’s disappointing, very unfair. It’s clear and true that the match is won when you score goals. I am very proud of my players and my team. This is the personality we need to go far in the competition. I am confident for the future. With this character, we are ready everywhere, in all stadiums.
Did the entry of Illia Zabarnyi destabilize the defense?
(He smiles) We made the last change because Fabian Ruiz was injured. If there are problems, it’s the coach’s problems. Don’t worry. I’m here for that. There is not just one team on a field. Football is a shitty sport! It’s an unfair sport. You have to accept it. This has happened to me often in my career. Like in Bilbao (0-0) where we were better or against the PFC last week. It’s frustrating. You like criticism but I am very proud of my players. This is the best way to go far in the competition.
“It’s a very, very unfair result”
Can this defeat hurt your head?
We’re used to it. I couldn’t be more proud. We controlled the entire match. But we lose, it’s incredible!
How to restore confidence?
We had two goals canceled. We were aggressive in defense, we controlled the match, we dominated. Our frustration in the last five minutes leads us to make mistakes. If we have to play in the play-offs, we are clearly ready. Everyone knows what type of team we are. We are ready to show it.
Should you have struck more often from distance as your goal shows?
We talked about it before the match. We hit. Not a lot but enough to win. The spaces facing a low block are not in the axis but in the projection on the sides. I repeat: I am very proud of the personality of our team. Football is like that. This is a very, very unfair result.
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