PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique criticized his team for gifting Bayern Munich with a goal, saying they could have lost Tuesday’s Champions League game by more than 2-1.
It was the defending champions’ first loss in four games and their second loss overall this season. Bayern have won 16 consecutive games in all competitions.
Bayern’s first goal came four minutes later, and their second in the 32nd minute. Both goals were scored by Colombian forward Luis Diaz. was sent off Second half of the first half.
“When it was 11 against 11, there is no doubt. Of course they were better than us in the first half. They created more chances and we gave them a great gift in the first half,” Luis Enrique said. “If you give those players a gift like that, they will score. There are no excuses. It’s our responsibility to do better.”
He was at a loss to explain why his team fell short, especially in a one-sided first half for six-time champions Bayern.
“There’s no explanation, but it is what it is,” he said. “We gave some gifts. They scored two goals, but they could have scored four. I was disappointed to see this because I expected to see a better level.”
PSG have been plagued by injuries this season but remain positive Ousmane Dembele And right-back Achraf Hakimi (who was recklessly fouled by Dias) were both sent off injured in the first half.
Luis Enrique feels the club’s ongoing injury situation needs to be better handled. So was PSG. Forward Desiree Douet without injury.
“When you bring back injured players, they’re not at 100 percent,” he said. “Based on my past experience, it’s something I (as a coach) should have handled better.”
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said his team’s victory was due to teamwork.
“Effort pays off. That summed up the first half and the second half,” he said. “We have to win the challenge and win the second ball. We can never cancel out PSG’s threat. They are very active and have a very good rhythm on the ball.”
Coach Kompany plans to tell his players “not to believe the hype” about the 16-game winning streak.
“Starting tomorrow, it’s back to zero,” he said.
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