‘This is why Barca lost…’

Luis Enrique believes Barcelona’s defeat in the Champions League can be explained by the level of their opponents, Paris Saint-Germain.

Goals from David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi did the damage, inflicting Barca’s first defeat of the season and the first goals conceded by the team.

Speaking after the final whistle, Enrique didn’t argue with the result but suggested it could have been much different.

“Why did Barca lose? The reasons are clear – we’re away at an opponent at the same level as we are,” AS reports the Coach saying.

“We weren’t as good as expected. We had clear chances near the end and we could have equalised. I don’t say the result was unfair but maybe a draw would have been fair too.

“We made clear mistakes without the ball and that led to the set pieces. We knew it could happen. Sometimes it can’t be avoided – it’s a game of mistakes.

“I know PSG and I know their potential. They want to win the Champions League and they didn’t surprise me. But this game is full of surprises. We won’t have it easy in Amsterdam or Cyprus.”

Enrique was asked specifically about the decision to name Marc-Andre Ter Stegen over Claudio Bravo, with the goalkeeper at fault for PSG’s second goal.

“I don’t usually evaluate individual performances,” he replied.

“The defeat is everyone’s, particularly mine. I’m the Coach and I’m the head of the team, I take responsibility.

“The players had a good attitude. It wasn’t our day and we haven’t been successful. We did things well and did things wrong. It’s not necessary [to talk about the goalkeeper].”

Tags Luis Enrique Paris Saint-Germain
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