Defending Champions PSG Content with Extended Path Through Champions League Qualifiers
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique stated on Wednesday that a difficult sequence of Champions League fixtures against top European clubs had prepared his squad ideally for the qualification stage, dismissing ideas that bypassing direct entry to the knockout phase counted as a setback.
"No other side is better equipped for the qualifiers or whatever opponents we face than ours, considering the calibre of teams we have encountered, it has been disastrous," remarked the Spanish coach following the current European title holders conclusion of the group stage with a 1-1 stalemate versus Newcastle United.
The English top-flight outfit occupied the lowest seeding bracket, resulting in PSG clashing with the Tyneside team rather than lesser sides like Pafos or Kairat Almaty.
Just one among their eight adversaries in the group stage hailed from beyond Europes premier four domestic competitions, namely the Portuguese powerhouse Sporting.
"Improvement is necessary, that much I concede," Luis Enrique continued, with PSG wrapping up the group in 11th position on 14 points, trailing leaders Arsenal by 10.
The Ligue 1 powerhouses, securing their inaugural Champions League triumph last term, kicked off this edition with three consecutive successes, yet Wednesdays outcome meant only a single victory in their final five European assignments.
Ousmane Dembele saw his initial spot-kick stopped at the Parc des Princes prior to Vitinha netting for PSG in the seventh minute, though Joe Willock levelled matters for Newcastle during added time before the interval.
"The match proved tough given their robust physicality and quality, we anticipated the challenge beforehand, yet I believe we merited the victory," expressed the ex-Barcelona head, who watched Khvicha Kvaratskhelia exit prematurely due to an ankle problem.
"Entering the qualifiers was a scenario we anticipated, thus we embrace the longer journey, though no one stands as greater favourites than us."
PSG navigated the qualification phase in the prior campaign en route to their historic success, thrashing domestic foes Brest 10-0 overall before overcoming Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal to reach the decider, where they crushed Inter Milan 5-0.
Newcastles Crucial Challenge
PSG and Newcastle will learn their February qualification foes via Fridays draw.
Nevertheless, one shall confront Monaco while the counterpart tackles Azerbaijans Qarabag, the duo ending 21st and 22nd in the 36-team table.
Newcastle, sitting ninth in the Premier League, now anticipates eight fixtures in February, but boss Eddie Howe noted that resisting PSG would boost the Tynesiders morale ahead.
"This encounter served as the true gauge against a determined side and the competitions custodians," he affirmed.
"We persist in our efforts, victory was the aim this evening, though the additional matches were unwelcome, we accept the path.
"We tackle that path optimally via a solid showing against the champions, so if any fixture offers confidence, it is this.
Howe, displeased with the prompt penalty decision against his charges for Lewis Mileys handball, supplemented: "At the campaigns outset, we might have accepted this.
"Direct advancement to the last 16 was the goal, yet we adapt to all outcomes, we exhausted every effort for a top-eight finish, falling short means pursuing an alternative."