This is the epilogue of a slow decline. The conclusion is cruel but embodies the drop in level and influence of Marco Verratti at PSG. The former darling of the Parc des Princes, by dint of prolonged absences and irregular performances, is no longer the brilliant environment, essential and undisputed. At 30, and for his 12th season in Paris, he experienced this Wednesday in Munich the worst evening of his career at PSG.
In the 61st minute, his ball lost at the entrance to the surface offered the opener to Bayern and tipped this round of 16 second leg. A terrible and unforgivable error that he will carry, for a long time, like a cross. Without naming him, his trainer, Christophe Galtier, overwhelmed him at the microphone of Canal Plus: “We created situations, we competed well with the opponent. In the second half, we take this stupid goaltackled the Parisian coach. At this level, it is necessary to have lucidity. Don’t be afraid to play long. It’s a lesson, a frustration.“
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Verratti wanted to do too much in a sensitive area rather than get rid of the ball. Bayern did not ask for so much. It is still him who loses the ball on Bayern’s second goal in an area, however, much further from his goal. But he remains as the main culprit on the Parisian side. “The Champions League is all about details“, repeated in heart after the meeting Kinglsey Coman and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Marco Verratti against Bayern Munich
Credit: Getty Images
These famous details which always turn in favor of the adversary, these famous individual errors which always lead the PSG. Already last year, in Madrid, his loss of the ball on the commitment of Madrid’s second goal had cost a goal and precipitated the heavy fall in Paris. Tuesday at a press conference, Verratti, in difficulty since the post-World Cup recovery, nevertheless approached this return match full of confidence.
Struggling in 2023
Even if he did not hide his difficulties of the season, in particular in a year 2023 which saw him far from his best level: “It’s normal to have lost momentum at the start of the year. I had an injury that kept me off the pitch for a whilehe justified himself. I didn’t play much in January, but I feel good with my teammates and in this game system. I hope to have a great game and that it ends well for all of us.“It ended badly for PSG and probably a little more for Marco Verratti.
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