PSG once again failed in its dream, which has lasted 12 years, of winning the Champions League. In a rather irregular performance, the result of nervousness, the Parisians lost 3-1 on their visit to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and said goodbye to the top continental competition in the round of 16. Elimination that has not gone unnoticed by the always French critic, which has left several actors identified.
The first of them is Pochettino. The Argentine coach is practically out of PSG after the premature elimination of his team in the Champions League. “Pochettino is out”, indicates The Parisian, who criticizes the lack of improvement in his approaches and the field management executed at the Bernabéu. The late change of Di María, just when PSG was already losing 3-1, has been one of the decisions that has generated the most controversy within the French press.
Another of those mentioned is Leonardo. The sports director has been harshly criticized by Le Parisien after having carried out a transfer market that has not borne fruit in Paris. Donnaruma’s error in Real Madrid’s first goal, together with Ramos’ constant injuries, Wijnaldum’s intermittent performance and Messi’s apathy, have been reason enough to question the Brazilian’s future in Paris. In the summer, PSG will decide whether or not to continue with Leonardo in what can be a busy summer market in the French capital.
Regarding the match notes, The Team has harshly criticized Donnarumma and Marquinhos. The Italian was directly involved in Benzema’s goal and the PSG captain was insecure throughout the night. The French newspaper has assessed both with a 2, in addition to suspending Kimpembe with a 3, Achraf with a 4 and Neymar, who has been awarded another 4 despite having been the assistant in PSG’s only goal during the night.
“Donnarumma catastrophic. Pochettino lost the bet.” can be seen on the paper The Team of this Wednesday. The Argentine opted for the Italian for the second time in the tie against Real Madrid and, paradoxically, I ended up paying the consequences of his decision. Although the former Milan player’s first half was very good, Benzema’s error in the goal practically doomed PSG, who went from being a powerful team to being diluted in the bottom of a cup like sugar. The substitution of Keylor Navas, who has a special aura with the Champions League, is going to bring a queue in France.
Messi’s match, on the other hand, has not been so badly valued by The Team despite the elimination of PSG. The prestigious French newspaper has given it a 6, highlighting the mobility it had between the lines: “Starting on the right, it actually took up a larger area as it moved. He was very mobile, always offering solutions between the lines and showing his knowledge of the game in terms of tempo and direction, with extreme precision and relevant decisions. We have even seen him defend. But he couldn’t find a way to get through. His last free throw opportunity went wide.”
The newspaper The Parisian, the most akin to PSG, has considered that Mbappé found himself very alone in the Santiago Bernabéu. Bondy’s talent was a nightmare for Real Madrid and, in addition to putting his team ahead with a great shot, he saw the referee disallow two other goals. “The elimination was very hard for him. He was helpless when PSG faded away. There is no reason to complain about his game”adds the Parisian newspaper.