Jean-François Vulliez, coach of Paris Saint-Germain’s U19 team, spoke to Le Parisien after their elimination in the Youth League semi-final (the equivalent of the Champions League) on Friday night against Real Madrid on penalties.
Vulliez: “That’s football, we have to keep moving forward.”
“Madrid was a great team, and that was evident in the penalty shootout. It’s a difficult moment, but we mustn’t forget the nine matches we played beforehand. We’re proud of the players’ journey; it’s an incredible experience that will stay with them for life. That’s football, we have to keep moving forward.”
It’s obviously a difficult moment, with elimination just shy of the final. Especially since PSG led for much of the match, only to see Real Madrid equalize just minutes before the final whistle. Then, the PSG youth team took the lead in the penalty shootout but were pegged back. It’s cruel, but it’s also part of football. It’s a valuable learning experience that should serve them well in the future.
It’s also important to remember the great performances achieved in order to complete a remarkable run. It’s a significant step forward for Paris, who have often struggled to go far in this competition. For the players, this run can also help open doors to a professional career. For some, it could even mean joining PSG. Although we know that some departures are likely, given the particularly fierce competition in the capital.
