PSG shows Manchester United another level
Red Devils outclassed at Old Trafford in last-16 first leg for first defeat under Solskjaer
For around 20 minutes, the Champions League glory days really did feel like they were back for Manchester United.
The capacity 74,000 crowd at Old Trafford was in full voice, United was attacking Paris Saint-Germain down the flanks with speed and aggression and its opponent looked shaky.
That feeling lasted until the French champions began to get a grip on the game and by the end of the night, a 2-0 defeat in the last-16 first-leg clash served to highlight the gulf that remains between this United team and the European elite.
“That’s the level we want to get to” United’s caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters. “We’ve been talking about top four [in the Premier League], that’s one thing but we want to be at the top and Man United should be at the top.
“This is a top, top team we played against. Our players today, are disappointed, of course, but I also think they know we need to step up our level to get to the level we want to get to,” added the Norwegian after suffering his first defeat since taking over 12 games ago in December.
United lost forwards Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard to muscle injuries midway through the match and replacements Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata failed to provide the necessary spark.
PSG had to cope without the injured Neymar and Edison Cavani, two thirds of its attack, yet remained a real threat in the final third with Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria causing United problems.
Neymar and Cavani, who have scored a combined 41 goals this season, are sidelined with foot and hip muscle injuries and did not make the trip to Old Trafford.
Despite their depleted ranks, PSG ran out worthy winners and United lost by more than one goal in a home European tie for the first time.
“We need to stop with the scare stories. People need to stop being afraid,” said forward Kylian Mbappe, adding that while Neymar and Cavani were important it was what PSG did with the players on the pitch that mattered most.
That is the kind of strength in depth United will need to build if it is to return to being the kind of force in Europe that it was under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It’s a reality check, you can see the strength they have when they put those players in as you talk about but that’s the level we want to get to,” added Solskjaer.
“And we are looking to strengthen the squad and then again we have so many young players to take a step up for next season.”
The Norwegian insisted, however, that his first loss won’t wreck the momentum United has built up in the Premier League.
“No, not at all because at this club we have to bounce back and we are in a tournament, the Champions League, where it’s always going to be difficult, but our bread and butter is the domestic league so I’m not afraid of that.
“The reaction in the dressing room was disappointment and when we go to Paris we’ll give it a go. It is a difficult mountain to climb but not impossible.”
Only once since the 2010/11 season has United won a Champions League knockout stage game and, with key midfielder Paul Pogba suspended after his late red card, the odds are stacked against that changing in Paris on March 6.
Zaniolo gives Roma, Italy cause for optimism
Five months ago, AS Roma was singled out by Italy coach Roberto Mancini for not giving enough playing time to young Italian players such as Nicolo Zaniolo, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante.
On Tuesday, Mancini was among the crowd at the Stadio Olimpico as all three played in Roma’s 2-1 Champions League win over Porto and may have left feeling far more optimistic about the national team’s future.
In all, Roma fielded seven Italians in its starting lineup for the last-16 first leg, the first team to do so in the Champions League since Juventus against FC Copenhagen in 2013.
The highlight was undoubtedly provided by 19-year-old Zaniolo who scored both Roma goals, showing once again why he is one of the most exciting young players Italy has produced in several years.
The midfielder, signed by Roma in the close-season from Inter Milan, where he did not play a senior match, was included by Mancini in Italy’s squad last September, before he had even made his Serie A debut.
“A good player like him has to play,” said Mancini at the time, saying he based his decision on Zaniolo’s performances for Italy’s under-19 team. “In the past, players of his age were already playing for big clubs and that ought to be the case today. It happens abroad.”
Shortly afterwards, Zaniolo was thrown in at the deep end as Roma gave him his debut in a Champions League match at Real Madrid and he has not looked back.
Tuesday’s goals were his first in the Champions League, taking his tally to five in all competitions this season, and earned him praise from his captain Daniele De Rossi, a notoriously tough taskmaster.
“It’s another small milestone, perhaps not even a small one, that adds to what he is showing game after game and even training session after training session,” said the grizzled 35-year-old. “He is already a very good player – and can become a great one.”