Tuchel: PSG must accept Champions League 'accident'

Paris Saint-Germain's squad is still "upset" by the Champions League loss to Manchester United but Thomas Tuchel said it is time to move on.

Published : Mar 12, 2019 08:20 IST

Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel
Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel
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Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel said Paris Saint-Germain must swallow its Champions League grief and "bounce back like champions" in Ligue 1.

PSG visits Dijon on Tuesday for its first match since being dramatically dumped out of Europe by Manchester United last week.

Marcus Rashford scored a stoppage-time penalty for United to condemn Tuchel's men to an away-goals defeat in the last 16 following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

The 3-1 loss at Parc des Princes saw PSG, which triumphed 2-0 at Old Trafford, become the first side in Champions League history to lose a knockout tie after winning the first leg away from home by two or more goals.

READ| Mbappe: I will be at PSG next season for sure

"Everyone is upset," PSG head coach Tuchel said.

"It's difficult to analyse the match. I think it was an accident and there's no logical explanation. We controlled the match, but the tension grew as the match wore on. 

"The first few days after the loss, the players don't want to play, but they don't have any choice. We have to finish the season.

"You have to know how to accept defeat and keep going. That's sport.

"We have the chance to bounce back like champions, and that's our challenge, for me and the coaching staff, to push the players each and every day. To play [on Tuesday] is the best medicine."

Growing with the club

PSG exited the Coupe de la Ligue in January but is 14 points clear in Ligue 1 and through to the semifinals of the Coupe de France.

Tuchel insisted the Champions League failure had done nothing to dent his desire to lead the club to future glory.

"I want to stay here for a long time and enjoy success. I want to grow with the club, that's absolutely clear," he said.

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