PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain appeared to be in trouble when they won only one of their first four matches in the Champions League this season, but six points from their final two games proved enough to send them through to the knockout stages.
The French champions reached the round of 16 on Tuesday thanks to inspired performances by Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe in a 4-1 win at Red Star Belgrade.
All three forwards scored in an intimidating atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic stadium, and defender Marquinhos was also on target to cancel out a volley by Red Star defender Marko Gobeljic.
The result lifted PSG to the top of Group C on 11 points, two ahead of Liverpool who also qualified thanks to a 1-0 home win over Napoli that left them ahead of the Italian side on goals scored.
Mbappe believes his team's turnaround was the result of clear-the-air talks in the dressing room after their wobbly start.
The 19-year-old told RMC Sport: "I don't think the team's improved; it's more that we had a realisation.
"We started performing and did what was asked of us. We asked questions of ourselves as individuals and as a team. You have to be able to speak frankly to each other. We did that and got our reward."
PSG started their European campaign this term with a 3-2 loss to Liverpool and coach Thomas Tuchel was delighted with the way his team have bounced back.
"It's not about the system, but about the attitude. It's really hard to win here and the guys played magnificently," he told RMC Sport.
"It was a difficult group with a lot of quality. It was hard, especially after our first match in Liverpool. The team showed they could play together."
Mbappe set up goals for Cavani and Neymar and was assisted by the latter for his own strike, and he was keen to praise the qualities of his attacking teammates.
"I have the chance to play with two great players. When we play like tonight, it's good for everyone," said the Frenchman.
"They are players who have nothing to prove to anyone. Cavani is the leading goalscorer in the club's history; Neymar is one of the best in the world.
"We have to go forward and look at what is ahead. We're looking at the last 16 and we'll see what happens in the draw (on Monday)."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Valencia clinch Champions League spot, Getafe in Europa
Clock ticking for city to close $17.2M gap. By Elizabeth Dobbins, edobbins@lowellsun.com. The city expects additional revenue from local taxes on recreational marijuana, with a quarter of this
Small Cities Feel the Clock Ticking on Opportunity Zones
Soccer Football - Championship Playoff Final - Aston Villa v Derby County - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 27, 2019 Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and John McGinn celebrate winning the playoff
Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby County
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to fund trip for AFF Suzuki Cup final against Vietnam HANOI (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Two die-hard Malaysian fans sold their prized Ultras Malaya memorabilia to fund their trip to Hanoi to watch the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Diehard fans sell their prized memorabilia to fund their trip
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Men's Basketball team will host five summer camps - Little Kids Camp (June 8), Shooting Camp (June 8), Skills Camp (June 10-12), Team Camp (June 14-16), and an Elite Camp (August 9-10) - at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.
Noh Meaning in Urdu - جاپان کا روایتی ڈراما جِس میں رقص اور
Berlin - Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. According to British media reports
Pulisic Not for Sale in January, Says Dortmund Chief
Juve foiled by Gervinho brace after leading 3-1. by moutasem quffa. February 3, 2019. in Football, Sports. 0. Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Parma - Allianz
Juve foiled by Gervinho brace after leading 3-1 | The Dawnlit
Juventus claimed their eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
Juventus win eighth consecutive Serie A title - punchng.com
"We are all tired after an amazing, crazy and unbelievable night," Pochettino told a news conference Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino Home
Tottenham beat Man City in Champions League: 'We are still in
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea secured a top-four spot in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Watford on Sunday after two goals in a three-minute span helped the club to clinch a return to the Champions League. The win, coupled with Arsenal and Manchester United both being held to 1-1 draws, means
Tottenham 4-0 Huddersfield: Spurs go third with win over
The Prem clubs had backed the introduction of VAR for next term in November. But today's decision to use the available technology to keep match-going fans in the loop are a huge step forward. Refs' chief Mike Riley pushed the initiative believing that giving match-day fans the maximum possible information would ensure that decisions were
VAR is one of the best things to ever happen to football
Manchester United: The five players who could be Solskjaer's first signing Rumours abound but we think these five players could be on the list to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first Manchester
Man City star David Silva explains how the scales of respect
The Dave Ramsey Show (Hour 2 Hosted By Rachel Cruze) The Dave Ramsey Show LIVE 1,197 watching Live now
Captain Cobra Unfinished business 2 - YouTube
0 comments:
Post a Comment