After hanging up with a Spanish radio to discuss the Arsenal match this Thursday in the Europa League, Robert Pires, the former Gunner, took the time to analyze the Parisian defeat against Manchester City (1-2) in the semi-final go to the Champions League.
The consultant of M 6 and Canal + feasted in front of his TV.
“I really liked the game, with pace and intensity,” he said.
He ensures that PSG will have a chance in the return match.
Should we talk about a PSG with two faces after this defeat?
ROBERT PIRES.
Yes.
But when I see the intensity that City has put, it's normal that Paris plunges.
Because I found that Guardiola's team really exhausted these Parisians, in this possession of the ball, in this way of making them run from right to left, one relay, two relays in the middle and, when you have players like De Bruyne and Foden, you always find gaps and a solution.
This is why Paris, in the second half, completely plunged physically.
Is this the victory of Pep Guardiola's method?
But of course he won with his method.
He knew very well how Paris worked, he prepared for this match perfectly.
And what's funny is that in the first half we never saw him get annoyed.
In fact, his plan worked wonderfully.
They never panicked even when Marquinhos scored.
And, in the second half, they continued with the same pattern, the same set-up.
When you face a team that makes you run like that, you lose your lucidity, you lose duels, you miss a lot of things and you have a hard time!
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What has worked least well for PSG?
It is precisely the relay between the middle and the Neymar-Mbappé duo.
In the first half, it went well because there were spaces and we were able to touch them.
And then City cut that relationship off.
Guardiola had to correct that at half-time.
That's why Kylian and Neymar disappeared.
They were weaned from balloons.
Didn't you expect Mauricio Pochettino to make changes sooner?
Yes, I thought he was going to put a little more freshness and energy in the midfield.
Because this is where City was strong with Rodrigo and Gündogan.
The problem was that you had to get out either Neymar or Mbappé.
Okay, you know what I mean, it's complicated
(laughs)
.
So he couldn't.
Navas had done miracles against Bayern and Barcelona.
Not this time…
Yes and if Navas does not work miracles, perhaps Paris is reaching its limits, unfortunately.
He can't save them every time.
So Paris must rediscover solidarity, really work together.
For the return, that will be the key.
Because in fact you realize that, collectively, City is super strong.
Can Paris still believe it?
Yes, it is not lost, because we realize that in fact PSG are better on the outside.
At the Park, something is going on.
That's why Paris must really believe in its chances and Paris is capable of winning at Manchester City, yes.