Sports
Enrique bemoans injuries as PSG held by Athletic Club
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique put his side’s struggles in the 0-0 draw with Athletic Club down to injuries.
The Champions League holders could not find a way past Unai Simon in goal on Wednesday night, only the third time they have failed to score this season.
But PSG were without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue was only fit enough to be introduced from the bench.
Enrique was disappointed in his post-match press conference, but claimed the levels were what he expected with such a thin squad at the moment.
He said: “The match was close, very difficult, especially in the first half. We deserved the victory, we could have won this match.
“I think we started well, we saw their high press, we had chances in the second half. The team’s level is normal for a European champion, with this very unusual start to the season, without all our players.
“I am confident. This result is a shame, but the group is calm. We have to win one more match. Marquinhos? I don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see, he asked to be substituted at halftime, we’ll see tomorrow.”
Midfielder Vitinha, who impressed last time out against Tottenham, was equally as frustrated.
He added: “We always want the victory. In a match like this, when you don’t score, it becomes difficult. We had too many chances. If you score, it changes everything.
“There’s always work to be done. But that’s football.”
PSG remain third in the Champions League standings heading into the final two fixtures, and look assured of a place in the knockout phase.
