Paris Saint-Germain played host to OGC Nice on Friday evening, on the 31st day of Ligue 1. With Arsenal already in the lead, the Rouge et Bleu were relentless in their attempts to break the deadlock. And despite their heavy domination, it was the Aiglons who pulled off a Nice-style heist, winning 1-3 (video highlights PSG/Nice). Paris captain Marquinhos spoke to DAZN about his side’s first league defeat of the season.
Marquinhos: “Now is not the time to create doubts”
First defeat of the season, what happened?
Yes, we missed the game. I think Nice came up with a very effective plan and managed to defend well. They didn’t give us much space in their half of the pitch. We weren’t able to create clear-cut chances. The chances we had and missed made things more difficult for them. They were effective. It’s a missed match, especially at home, because we don’t like losing here at home.
Even if we’re champions, it’s just points that go by. It’s a very important moment in the season and it’s not the time to create doubts. Even if we missed that game, we have to keep our confidence up because there are some very important deadlines coming up. We know we can do better, especially in terms of results and defensive and attacking efficiency. These are very important things for Tuesday.
It’s a bit rich to call it a “failure”, isn’t it? There was a great goalkeeper in front of us
It was a botched match, especially in terms of the results. Our aim was to win, but we didn’t manage it. We want to win everything, and even if we’re already champions, we know that winning and good performances continue to give us the right atmosphere to work hard and continue what we’re doing.
Today we didn’t succeed and that’s why I used the word “failed”. There are some good things, and the coach will analyze the things we did well and the things we can improve on. When we win and when we lose, we’re very demanding of ourselves and we’ll continue to be.
“We need to take the game back to where we are very strong”
Worried about the set-piece against Arsenal?
That’s one of their strengths. In a soccer match there are strategies to be followed, and we’re going to try to counter them as best we can. We know they’re very good at that and we can do better. Today we took another goal like that. We’re going to do everything we can to clean it up. We’ve got to bring the match back to where we’re strong.
There are going to be strategies and we’re going to try to do the best we can to get the best result over there. We know there are two games, but this first game is very important. We’ve had a great season so far, and we’ve put in some excellent performances. We’re going to keep on working because the end of the season is very important.
