Before the 32nd matchday this weekend, Ligue 1 coaches reflected on the historic match between PSG and Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final first leg (5-4).
Like all football enthusiasts, they did not miss a moment of what happened on Tuesday night at Parc des Princes. This Thursday, before the start of the 32nd matchday, Ligue 1 coaches were interviewed about the dramatic scenario that unfolded on Tuesday night in the Champions League first leg semi-final between PSG and Bayern Munich (5-4).
“This sport inspires everyone (smile). Everyone who saw this spectacle… there are no words,” confessed Habib Beye (OM) during a press conference. “These are irrational matches where nothing is controlled anymore. When we talk about balance, system, or schemes, we realize that the schemes explode and the quality of the players makes the difference. Football is a team sport but influenced by the individual quality of certain players.”
“We realize that the bar is set very high,” said Pierre Sage (Lens), PSG’s runner-up in Ligue 1. “On the spectacular side of the game, there were a lot of extraordinary things in this match. We were completely on edge and alert in front of our screens. I admit that I am one of those who prefer to see a match end 5-4 rather than 1-0. But I read an interview with Diego Simeone who said ‘I would have said that we still conceded four or five goals’. It’s a choice. When we see the level of these teams and the individual level of each player, we realize that the bar is set very high. When we run after PSG – even if they run very, very fast – we realize the challenge we have ahead of us.”
“This is a football I love,” concluded Sébastien Pocognoli. “You have been following Monaco in recent weeks, we are trying to achieve that. I like to combine this football with a structured defensive foundation. It was a beautiful night of football, with a lot of intensity. To play this type of football every week, you need to be well-prepared, have a very large squad like PSG does, and a lot of resources. It was wonderful to see.”
