Tuchel defends tactics as Neymar sulks

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN coach Thomas Tuchel defended a change in system against Borussia Dortmund despite a 2-1 loss in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg yesterday.

Tuchel fielded a 4-3-3 system but while it piled bodies into midfield to keep Dortmund forward Erling Haaland under control it also left their own forward

Kylian Mbappe far too isolated.

PSG’s Marco Verrati was their best player on the pitch, doing wonders to keep the midfield under control and set the pace for much of the first half, but the French side’s chances were virtually non existent in the opening period.

“We had some ideas. We played this system in Dijon two matches ago and it was the system that gave us structure and short distances to defend,”

Tuchel told reporters.

“It gave us a structure to attack and control the build-up, to accelerate and to attack high.”

“We have no regrets. I have to make decisions before the game and I take responsibility.

Nobody can say what would have happened with a different system.”

The formation partly worked in the first half with PSG in control but as Dortmund gradually grew in confidence so did the visitors’ problems in trying to contain them.

“I know after a match if the result is not right it can be said that the system was a mistake,”

Tuchel said.

“But other teams have also lost here. That can happen and no one knows what would have happened had we played a 4-4-2.”

“I felt like we played with a little fear of making a mistake. We should have been looking for solutions. We were lacking patience and timing in attacking.”

After the defeat at Signal Iduna Park, PSG’s solitary goalscorer on the night – Neymar – criticised his team’s handling of his recent injury.

The world’s most expensive player was critical of the French league champions for not letting him play more before yesterday’s clash.

“It’s hard to go four games without playing,” said Neymar.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t my choice, it was the choice of the club, of the doctors, they made that decision, which I didn’t like.

“We had a lot of discussions about it because I wanted to play, I felt good, but the club was afraid and in the end it was me who suffered.”

Big-spending PSG are desperate to avoid exiting the Champions League at the first knockout round for a fourth season in a row.

“It was a tough game, but we have to do what we can in the return game,” Neymar, 28, told reporters.

“Playing now at home is the best thing in the world, we have 90 minutes to do something.” – The Independent/Reuters/AFP