PSG need to stop Manchester Unitedâs transition attacks to win, admits Thomas Tuchel
PSG currently sit second on the 2020/21 Ligue 1 table
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Ahead their game against Manchester United, Thomas Tuchel has confessed that for PSG to win, they need to ensure that they defend well against the speed and quality of their opponents. The Red Devils take on the Ligue 1 Champions in their first game of the Champions League group stages.
With Manchester United up against Paris Saint-Germain, many have already termed the game as a revenge game for the Parisians after the Red Devils beat them last time around. PSG wasted a two-goal first-leg lead the last time they faced United in the last of 16 stage in 2019 but managed to turn things around in their favour last season. However, a heart-breaking loss in their first ever Champions League final still plays on the minds of many with the clubâs season affected by it.
Theyâve endured an average start to their season with three wins and two losses in their opening five games of the Ligue 1 and it has many concerned. But Thomas Tuchel isnât worried and the German coach believes that he knows exactly how he can stop Manchester United. The PSG manager further added that the Red Devils are âone of the best teams in Europeâ and his side need to be wary against them.
âThey have made many changes - to the 2018-19 team - they brought in new players with more confidence and more experience. Paul Pogba is a key player, one of the best midfielders in the world. Itâs key to stop him, and also to stop Bruno Fernandes. He plays with three very fast forwards. Theyâre one of the best teams in Europe in terms of attack and transitions. Itâs key to stop them before they start their counter attacks,â Tuchel said reported Reuters.
The fact that they reached the final of last seasonâs Champions League has seen many tout PSG as the favourites to win it all this term despite intense competition from Europeâs bigwigs. However, despite the pressure being on, Tuchel added that while they âhad a very great run last season,â they need to reset and do it all over again this term as well. The PSG boss also admitted that their âmemories against Manchesterâ arenât good ones but they are looking to change that.Â
"Our memories against Manchester, obviously we don't have very, very good memories. We had a good result at Old Trafford but in the end it wasn't a great outcome for us. We had a very great run last season for the Champions League and now it's a challenge not to think too much about last season and two seasons. We have to overcome these difficulties, show what we are able to do now and start this new Champions League with zero points," Tuchel added.
