Paris Saint-Germain came in for heavy criticism from the French media after their draw with Napoli last night.
The French champions snatched a last-gasp draw thanks to Angel Di Maria’s wonder strike, but were largely outplayed by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
PSG haven’t won in their last five meetings with Italian clubs, and L’Équipe was not impressed with their performance last night.
Paris Saint-Germain came in for heavy criticism from the French media after their draw with Napoli last night.
The French champions snatched a last-gasp draw thanks to Angel Di Maria’s wonder strike, but were largely outplayed by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
PSG haven’t won in their last five meetings with Italian clubs, and L’Équipe was not impressed with their performance last night.
“Rarely has Thomas Tuchel’s PSG been as dominated as they were last night last night by the current second placed team in Serie A,” the match report reads.
“Even in Liverpool to open the competition the feeling of helplessness wasn’t so pregnant.”
In the newspaper’s player ratings PSG received an average of just 4.3 compared to Napoli’s 5.9, with former Napoli man Edinson Cavani getting just a 3/10.
Le Parisien noted that Tuchel’s side “remain in contention for the Last 16, but will have to raise their level” and wondered “are they overpriced? Installed in comfort too luxurious? Cut off from the world by an overzealous sporting hierarchy?”.
Napoli were described as “strong, domineering, fast”, while there was a focus on the tactical battle between the two Coaches.
“Ancelotti won the first round before Tuchel switched to 3-4-3… Tuchel forced Ancelotti to abandon his 4-4-2 for a more solid 4-3-3. In short the two Coaches showed their impressive tactical acumen, shining in their reactivity and analytical reading of the game. The Italian nearly gave a lesson, but Di Maria brought out his party piece, his curling left-footed strike in the twilight of the game leaving the suspense in this group in tact.”
Le Monde wrote that PSG had been “on the brink” before Di Maria’s strike, as “in the first half Napoli’s flawless organisation embarrassed Neymar and co”.
The newspaper also stated that Tuchel was given “a tactical lesson” before his switch to 3-4-3 and concludes “the German Coach will play a part of his future at PSG, November 6, in Naples”.