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Mbappé Takes Responsibility as PSG Falls Short in Champions League Semifinals

Kylian Mbappe at France
"File:Kylian Mbappe celebrating - March 2018.jpg" by Кирилл Венедиктов is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar forward, Kylian Mbappé, didn’t shy away from shouldering the blame after his team’s defeat to Dortmund in the Champions League semifinals. Despite their dominance in possession and numerous chances, PSG failed to find the back of the net, ultimately losing 2-0 on aggregate.

Mbappé, known for his humility, acknowledged his own shortcomings, admitting that he should have been more clinical in front of goal. “I tried to help my team as best as I could but I didn’t do enough,” he confessed. “When we talk about being efficient in the boxes, I think I’m the one targeted.”

Reflecting on the match, Mbappé emphasized that it wasn’t a matter of luck but rather PSG’s inability to capitalize on their opportunities. “I don’t like to talk about being unlucky,” he stated. “When you are good, it doesn’t hit the post, it goes in. Today, we were not good enough, us the attackers.”

Dortmund’s solid defense, coupled with PSG’s profligacy in front of goal, proved to be the undoing of the French side. Despite late attempts and near misses, including hitting the woodwork four times, PSG couldn’t break through Dortmund’s resilience.

Manager Luis Enrique echoed Mbappé’s sentiments, expressing disappointment in the result but acknowledging Dortmund’s merit. “The result is what it is and I congratulate them and wish them the best for the final,” he remarked.

For PSG, the defeat marks another season without Champions League glory, a bitter pill for the club’s ambitious owners. PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi acknowledged the disappointment but also expressed pride in the team’s efforts. “We’ve reached the semifinals three times in five years. That’s not our objective, it’s still the final,” he said.

As for Mbappé, speculation about his future continues to swirl, with rumors linking him to a move to Real Madrid. However, the young forward remained tight-lipped when questioned about his next steps.

Despite the disappointment, PSG and Mbappé are determined to learn from the defeat and come back stronger in the future. As they reflect on their Champions League campaign, they know that overcoming setbacks is part of the journey towards achieving greatness in football.

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