Thomas Tuchel insists PSG shouldn’t be surprised by Napoli. “They’ve been together for many years and have a top Coach like Carlo Ancelotti.”
The Partenopei had twice been leading at Parc des Princes with Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens goals, keeping the initiative for long periods, but Angel Di Maria snatched a 2-2 draw at the 93rd minute.
Thomas Tuchel insists PSG shouldn’t be surprised by Napoli. “They’ve been together for many years and have a top Coach like Carlo Ancelotti.”
The Partenopei had twice been leading at Parc des Princes with Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens goals, keeping the initiative for long periods, but Angel Di Maria snatched a 2-2 draw at the 93rd minute.
“In my view, we started very well and had a strong opening 15 minutes, then I don’t know why, but we lost our shape,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“We tried to make things too complicated and consequently gave the ball away cheaply. Napoli have been playing together for a few years and have a very tactical approach, with a lot of quality, and they are difficult to take on.
“Napoli’s goal to go in front was only fair in the circumstances. We changed some things in the second half to play it simpler and quicker. I think it went much better, as we had more intensity, more passes, more chances and tried to recover the ball with high pressing.
“We deserved the equaliser, then Mertens scored. It was almost a fluke. It’s difficult to react in that situation to a Napoli side with a lot of quality, but we did react.
“I don’t understand why we struggle to have one approach and one shape for an entire match. We last 15 minutes, then lose our way. We’ve got to improve on a tactical level. For 30 minutes in the first half, we didn’t play as a team.”
Liverpool now top the group with six points, followed by Napoli on five and Paris Saint-Germain with four.
“I see this as the first leg of a tie lasting 180 minutes,” added Tuchel. “Now we’re at 2-2 and we can still win, but must improve.
“Yesterday I told you that we weren’t the favourites against Napoli and you didn’t believe me. Napoli have been together for many years, they have a top Coach like Carlo Ancelotti, quality players and beat Liverpool recently.
“Playing against any Italian team is always difficult. One must respect the football culture of other nations, as we don’t have the same style as an Italian side or Atletico Madrid. It’s not a coincidence that PSG haven’t won any of their last five games against an Italian club.
“It all comes down to qualification now. I respect the group and knew from the start it would be complicated against Liverpool and Napoli. We are not the favourites, it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not when I say that. We can’t be surprised that it’s a tough group.”