Coach Galtier: 'PSG has not been eliminated'

"It seems like a tie, but no team has been eliminated and no team has progressed," coach Galtier shared at the press conference after the defeat to Bayern. "I hope PSG will bring a fresh image in three weeks. If we play like we did in the last 25 or 30 minutes of the first leg, we can beat Bayern. The good thing for us is that the league doesn't apply. away goal rule".

Playing at home in the first leg, but PSG fell short of Bayern for most of the match. The host's match only improved after Kylian Mbappe entered the field in the 57th minute, when the French team was leading. At the end of the match, the French representative created a series of opportunities, but missed and accepted a 0-1 defeat. As for the reason Mbappe was in reserve, coach Galtier said that Mbappe had returned to training a few days ago, but the medical team confirmed that the 24-year-old striker was not fit enough to start.

"PSG experienced a difficult first 60 minutes, when pressed by the opponent," added coach Galtier. "We knew they were going to close with intensity. PSG lacked depth in the squad. We couldn't get the ball on the flanks, and unfortunately Hakimi was injured at half-time. If after three weeks we have enough. force, PSG can absolutely continue."

Many PSG players were not in good shape in the first leg on February 14, such as Mbappe, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe or Lionel Messi. Of these, Marquinhos and Messi played the full 90 minutes. At the end of the game, Messi was fouled by Benjamin Pavard on the edge of the penalty area in a quick phase. As a result, Pavard received a second yellow card and was sent off, meaning he was absent for the second leg.

The opportunity for Messi and his teammates has not ended, especially when this year's Champions League does not apply the away goal rule. The two teams will play the second leg at Bayern on March 9.