{"id":504,"date":"2018-03-09T13:11:57","date_gmt":"2018-03-09T12:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/?p=504"},"modified":"2018-03-08T13:12:03","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T12:12:03","slug":"all-that-for-that-psg-and-emery-digest-another-champions-league-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/?p=504","title":{"rendered":"\u2018All that, for that?\u2019 \u2013 PSG and Emery digest another Champions League exit"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"content__head content__head--article tonal__head tonal__head--tone-feature\">\n<div class=\"content__headline-standfirst-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"tonal__standfirst u-cf\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"img-1\" class=\"media-primary media-content media-primary--showcase \" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1300&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=4e53d27b80f9824f29a44ed6893df3e0 2600w\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1300px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1300&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=ecc985d0aec08755298098fc9725c02b 1300w\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" sizes=\"1300px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1140&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9a147ef89c7d009b35bf1755e53a7c9f 2280w\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1140px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1140&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=03b3305126a7cf39dd15def2cc784e42 1140w\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" sizes=\"1140px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1125&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=98697f650acab79fa652710e9bb31a40 2250w\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1125px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=1125&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5f074d1016d2745cb7147551edae9597 1125w\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" sizes=\"1125px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=965&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=260d33371a9a5972f49f023fd0ba38eb 1930w\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"965px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=965&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=814db0dbfe91a6970edbe3b560b998bf 965w\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\" sizes=\"965px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=725&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=47bc3dca2a5c93ecac11ef4ae0a95cc3 1450w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"725px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=725&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=26fc8b13e735e6500b80fd204456d22d 725w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"725px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=645&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=3faff6e70867748da779987874545975 1290w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"645px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=645&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=0f6bef97de175b9d3f9632a07ef81c09 645w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"645px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=465&amp;q=20&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=175362eb12f991ba8007ee672e233984 930w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"465px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c568b7c9a2255db93ac1c4893a11d6840ca3fef6\/0_183_5478_3287\/master\/5478.jpg?w=465&amp;q=55&amp;auto=format&amp;usm=12&amp;fit=max&amp;s=ac250b84b2b9407e27f3e6e9fcc5776a 465w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"465px\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption caption--main caption--img\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"content__article-body from-content-api js-article__body\" data-test-id=\"article-review-body\">\n<p><span class=\"drop-cap\"><span class=\"drop-cap__inner\">\u201cA<\/span><\/span>ll that, for that?\u201d read L\u2019\u00c9quipe\u2019s damning headline on Wednesday morning. On a night when the team\u2019s fans had done their best to create a raucous, fiery atmosphere, evincing their belief in a comeback for their side, Paris Saint-Germain unequivocally let their supporters down.\u00a0<a class=\"u-underline\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2018\/feb\/14\/real-madrid-paris-saint-germain-champions-league-last-16-first-leg-match-report\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Overturning Real Madrid\u2019s 3-1 lead<\/a>\u00a0from the previous leg was always going to be a tall order, and the loss of Neymar to injury was also a not inconsiderable obstacle, even if his replacement, \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda had been in form of late. However,<a class=\"u-underline\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2018\/mar\/06\/psg-real-madrid-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">\u00a0it was not the elimination<\/a>\u00a0itself that stung the most, even after a summer in which the club had spent the better part of \u20ac400m, but rather its insipid manner.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-rich-link element--thumbnail element-rich-link--upgraded\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-1 | 1\">\n<div class=\"rich-link tone-news--item rich-link--pillar-sport\">\n<div class=\"rich-link__container\">\n<div class=\"rich-link__image-container u-responsive-ratio\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-link__header\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-link__read-more\">\n<div class=\"rich-link__read-more-text\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The most expensively assembled team in the history of football collapsed with barely a whimper, unless Marco Verratti\u2019s dismissal for dissent shortly after the hour can be considered. Much like the first leg, there was a chaotic feel to the match, particularly in its opening moments, but unlike three weeks ago, this was never an encounter decided by fine margins, even as most of the players and Unai Emery stumbled over themselves to take the blame in the aftermath.<\/p>\n<p>Thiago Silva, back as captain after having been dropped in the first leg, offered a frank statement to redouble his belief in Emery and emphasise that haste was not the necessary response, even at such a frustrating juncture.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is a shame after the competition we had produced up until now. It is hard for us and the fans,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to concentrate on coming out of this situation. Changes, now is not the right time to talk about that. But it is not the manager\u2019s fault. Those who play are the players. He had to make difficult choices. It is not his fault. We stand together with him. We need to continue, to pick ourselves up and continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Silva\u2019s words may sound like toeing the company line, and to a large extent, the Brazilian\u2019s thoughts echoed those of his manager, who was similarly both elusive and lugubrious when pressed on his own future after the match. \u201cToday, I\u2019m not thinking about that. We all want to win the\u00a0<a class=\"u-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/championsleague\" data-link-name=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Champions League<\/a>\u00a0quickly. PSG need to digest this disappointment but it\u2019s certain that we will continue with patience to build a team that will win in the future. It\u2019s a process in time but I\u2019m sure PSG will win it.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"img-2\" class=\"element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares \" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"4ee2a36cb182cd7147f5fcbfd333a0b4fce36e3e\"><figcaption class=\"caption caption--img caption caption--img\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Julian Draxler offered a dissenting opinion, with the German winger telling ZDF after the match: \u201cWhen we equalised, we needed to bring something else in. We needed to continue to push, to go forward. I do not know what happened, I was surprised and a bit annoyed. The goal at 1-1 changed nothing for us. I felt like we needed to continue to press and play attacking football.\u00a0<a class=\"u-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/realmadrid\" data-link-name=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Real Madrid<\/a>\u00a0were playing slowly, calmly. We moved the ball around but you cannot win by just doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The opinion of Draxler, who would have been nailed on to start this match had it been played a year ago, must surely be taken with a grain of salt, but parsing these various views to get at the heart of what ails PSG is nevertheless important. Silva, in saying it was not the manager\u2019s fault, was correct, even as there have been raised eyebrows over Emery\u2019s decision to drop Layvin Kurzawa, and his substituting of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 in the match\u2019s waning stages.<\/p>\n<p>But Draxler\u2019s comments have some merit even if his own selfish metrics do not apply. Given the attacking propensity of Marcelo, was it really wise to start the 34-year-old Dani Alves against him? Could Emery really not rouse a more determined and focused performance from his squad? After Real Madrid had weathered an intense start to the match, PSG, having not scored, dropped their heads, losing the determination necessary to succeed in a match of this magnitude.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"img-3\" class=\"element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares \" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"b526ea15e2d7d3aa64ea576e96f5b57c0d38d7ad\"><figcaption class=\"caption caption--img caption caption--img\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That loss soon became mixed with frustration after they conceded, and if Verratti\u2019s dismissal was the most readily apparent manifestation of that, the Italian was far from alone. PSG\u2019s players by and large reverted to individualistic displays, seemingly lacking confidence in their team-mates and their manager\u2019s tactics.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps each player wanted to turn in the sort of heroic individual display that Neymar has offered so often in the past, but they would have been better served by remembering that all of his step-overs and feints had amounted to next to nothing in the first leg.<\/p>\n<p>While a show of unity may not have been enough for them to progress, a resolute performance would have warded off the excoriation the team now face. Despite the (mostly) united front afterwards, it was a lack of that same quality on the pitch that undid PSG. No matter the manager, the transfer fees, or the personnel, until this side learn the value of playing together, success will continue to elude them against the world\u2019s best sides.<\/p>\n<p>Source\u00a0https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/blog\/2018\/mar\/07\/psg-emery-champions-league-exit-real-madrid-paris-saint-germain<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cAll that, for that?\u201d read L\u2019\u00c9quipe\u2019s damning headline on Wednesday morning. On a night when the team\u2019s fans had done their best to create a raucous, fiery atmosphere, evincing their belief in a comeback for their side, Paris Saint-Germain unequivocally let their supporters down.\u00a0Overturning Real Madrid\u2019s 3-1 lead\u00a0from the previous leg was always going to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=504"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":506,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504\/revisions\/506"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/britishdailynews.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}