Arsene Wenger has slammed a host of PSG players, claiming they mentally collapsed during their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Arsene Wenger has slammed Paris Saint-Germain’s second-half performance, saying their aggressiveness cost them the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The hosts took the lead in their Champions League semi final first-leg when Marquinhos headed home in the first half.
However, City drew level just after the hour mark through Kevin De Bruyne, before a Riyad Mahrez free-kick handed them a valuable lead to take back to the Etihad as they look to reach their first final in the competition.
But the former Gunners boss took aim at Mauricio Pochettino’s side, accusing them of conceding an ‘unacceptable’ second goal after Mahrez’s strike went straight through the PSG wall.
“From the defenders turning their back, it’s between Paredes and Kimpembe. Why do you lie a guy on the ground if the guys in the wall open the wall?” Wenger told beIN Sports.
“I personally believe that the second goal is not acceptable for that level.
“It’s not the first time you see players turning their back. City took advantage of that. In the second half, Paris Saint-Germain was protective, not progressive any more. Is it because they were not physically capable?
“What was interesting is that you could see that when it was 1-1, PSG mentally collapsed,” Wenger added. “This is the consequence of the team losing eight games in the league. This has an impact.
“When it’s 1-1 the team knows they have lost many games, they carry that. It’s not like the season before when they were unbeatable in the league.
“You could see the confidence dropped considerably and the mental impact when Man City equalised, for the semi-final of a Champions League, was too big.”
PSG now have a mountain to climb when they take on City at the Etihad in the return leg next Tuesday.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Manchester City
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
