This Friday, as part of Matchday 18 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain faced Lille at the Parc des Princes. Lille coach Bruno Genesio spoke at a press conference after PSG’s 3-0 victory. While he felt the scoreline was harsh, the coach also acknowledged that Paris was superior, particularly thanks to the talent of Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old forward).
Genesio: “We didn’t deserve to lose by such a margin.”
“We played a fairly solid first half. We could have opened the scoring early, and they scored with a goal from the Ballon d’Or winner, practically their only chance (in the first half)… We suffered much more in the second half. I regret that the last two goals came from turnovers. There’s a world of difference between the two teams, but we didn’t deserve to lose by such a margin.”
The mistakes?
Paris pressed well, so they also went after turnovers. But we also lack maturity, as seen on PSG’s third goal… The difference is also evident in the technical skill and intensity of the PSG players. It cost us at the end of the match.
Genesio: “We have to acknowledge the opponent’s superiority.”
Three consecutive defeats?
It’s worrying because we’re never happy to lose and to string together losses. We have to look at the content of the matches more than the raw results. Tonight, we have to acknowledge the opponent’s superiority; we have to be realistic. This isn’t the match we should be worried about. Our league isn’t against Paris.
Genesio: “It’s talent, and Ousmane’s incredible talent.”
Ousmane Dembélé’s second goal?
It’s everything we love about football. “It has everything: technical quality, composure, precise play… You don’t win the Ballon d’Or by chance. It’s Ousmane’s talent, his incredible talent. But there’s so much talent in this team, that’s why they’re so hard to play against…,” remarks reported by Le Figaro.
Genesio can be credited with the scoreline being a bit harsh, a point also emphasized by PSG coach Luis Enrique to the press. Lille were solid, and PSG struggled a bit creatively in the first half. However, it’s also fair to say that the Parisians deserved their victory overall.
They responded with focus after their elimination from the Coupe de France and even put in a very strong second half. Lille fought hard, but it was difficult to compete against such a cohesive team, one brimming with talent, including Dembélé, who scored a superb brace. The first goal was already beautiful, the second was masterful.
It’s tough for Lille, but they have to accept the defeat, focus on the positives, and work hard to get back to winning ways. This loss hurts particularly because it comes in the midst of an already negative run of form. However, Genesio reminds everyone that there’s no need to worry. PSG were very strong, and Lille will be able to compete more effectively against other opponents.
