Unai Emery warns five-star PSG can only get better

The coach said his side has learned lessons from the past after it started its Champions League Group B campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Celtic.

Published : Sep 13, 2017 13:07 IST , Glasgow

Unai Emery gestures beside the pitch during PSG’s Champions League match against Celtic.
Unai Emery gestures beside the pitch during PSG’s Champions League match against Celtic.
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Unai Emery gestures beside the pitch during PSG’s Champions League match against Celtic.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Unai Emery says his side has learned lessons from the past after it started its Champions League Group B campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Celtic . Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani's double and a Mikel Lustig own goal consigned Celtic to its record home European defeat and propelled PSG to the top of the table on goal difference from Bayern Munich, which it hosts on match day two.

It was a real statement of intent from this summer's big spenders who signed Brazilian Neymar and teenage sensation Mbappe in a bid to make a real impression on the competition. After four consecutive seasons of reaching the quarterfinals, PSG fell at the round of 16 last season when it capitulated against Barcelona after winning the first leg 4-0.

It was a result that convinced its Qatari owners to break the world transfer record to bring Neymar to the French capital. The 6-1 defeat to the Catalan giant in the second leg was a humbling for PSG but Emery says it is approaching this season's campaign with a renewed confidence.

‘Character’

"We did learn from the past and what happened last year. We have worked really hard to improve things within the team," the Spanish coach said. "I think my team showed a lot of character. What I was really pleased with was the fact we were in control with the ball and without the ball. Of course we have added to the team but it is more about all the people working together. As far as this is concerned I am really, really happy."

The French side's formidable front line terrorised the Celtic defence and Emery warned it would only get better. The PSG coach singled out Mbappe, who PSG has an option to buy from Monaco for a fee that could reach EUR 180 million, for praise. "This is what he needs at the moment. He wants to be a great player and he is going to grow up into that role," Emery said of the 18-year-old who scored his second goal in two games.

"They have only played a few games together... but the key is that the team is going to improve more and more."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said his side, which conceded five at home for the first time since Rangers beat it 5-1 in September 1960, said his side wasn't at the same level of the French superstars. "You have to give credit to them. They are a really special team and they are going to be close to winning it for sure," the Northern Irishman said.

"This is a level where you have to look after the ball, and you have to make the ball work for you, and in the first half we didn't do that."

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