The Parisian captain gives his view on the lack of efficiency of his team on Tuesday, against PSV Eindhoven.
Offender, savior, near-scorer… Marquinhos went through all the emotions on Tuesday, during the draw against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). Overall author of a consistent performance, the Brazilian captain of PSG still leaves (much) too much freedom to Noa Lang on the Dutch goal. But he has the merit of saving the house by making a saving interception on the hour mark. “It’s the little details that make the difference, that’s true up front but also behind. That’s what we’re here for, that’s what we love to do. It is my passion to defend, help my teammates and protect my goal. These are important things. I really wanted my team to win so that I would be happy. Even if I saved a good goal and this draw is important because it could have been a defeat. At home, with our supporters, I wanted to win so that I would be really happy when I came home.”explains the Brazilian international, in front of the cameras of Canal+.
Alas, “Marqui” and his little comrades remained hungry, failing to score this second goal. Said “Marqui” was not far from doing so at the end of added time, coming up against Walter Benitez, as exceptional on this shot as he was light on Achraf Hakimi’s shot. PSG cursed. Especially since the referee of the match, the Swede Gleen Nyberg, deprived the Parisians of a penalty which seemed valid in the 93rd. When it doesn’t want…
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26 shots including eight on target for… a small goal
Paris, however, had the opportunity to make the decision before this situation, which was contentious to say the least. Bradley Barcola, Kang-in Lee, Ousmane Dembélé… 26 shots, eight on target. Marquinhos is not looking for excuses. “The thing we lacked the most is efficiency. We created chances, we had volume, which we lacked against Arsenal. And there, we managed to play in their half, we created chances, but he missed the finish. However, we know that it is very important in C1. We had chances at the start of the match, we didn’t score. Conversely, they made it happen. It completely changes the story of a match. We have to chase the score. It’s definitely more difficult. Even if we managed to come back to take a draw, it is important to take the three points from the home matches. We didn’t manage to do it today.”regrets the 30-year-old Parisian captain.
A lack of efficiency which reignites the debate on the center forward position. “I will give the same 11 again”insists Luis Enrique, who had aligned Kang-in Lee in false 9 on Tuesday evening. “If we look at the statistics, we scored more goals than last season at the same time,” corrects Marquinhos. And last season, we had a great number 9. It’s normal that when a player like that leaves, people focus a lot on him.he adds.
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The features of our game have changed
Marquinhos
The “big number 9” in question, it is obviously Kylian Mbappé, also a decisive passer during Real Madrid’s fantastic comeback against Dortmund (4-2) on Tuesday evening. The 2018 world champion scored 44 goals last season under the Parisian colors, in the conditions we know. To make up for his departure, Luis Enrique repeatedly repeats that he “prefer to have four players with 12 goals than one with 40”. Except that this type of player can help to resolve complicated situations… “It’s another game idea today. The features of our game have changed. But it’s important to realize (our opportunities). We have great players who can score goals and who have already shown that they can do it. Today, he lacked a little more tranquility in front of goal. We’re going to do it. It’s something to work on in training, in our heads. This is a decisive moment. You have to have this tranquility on the surface”asserts Marquinhos. Message received?
