"Without impetus, without explosion..."
The very critical words of German Julian Draxler about PSG's tactics on Tuesday against Real Madrid (1-2), on the German channel ZDF, were widely reproduced in the media, which interpreted them as a direct attack on coach Unai Emery.
"You have to press Real Madrid when you have lost 3-1 in the first leg, and not pass the ball calmly waiting for the goal," said the German forward, who came into play in the 76th minute when the score was 1-1 and PSG played with 10 men.
"I think we should have pressed the opponent from the start, and we didn't. That's why our elimination is deserved," he said in statements to the website Welt.de, which titled: "Draxler attacks his coach".
German Draxler came on in the second half against Real Madrid. (Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: Reuters)
After the draw, with the score at 0-0, PSG had to score two goals to turn the tie around. "At that moment, I said to myself, maybe we have to step on the accelerator and play on the attack, but I don't know exactly what happened. I am surprised and bitter," explained the German international.
"When we play a game like today (Tuesday), without impetus, without explosion, it is clear that we cannot overcome Real Madrid," he said.