Ronald Koeman says he will not make excuses for FC Barcelona’s 4-1 capitulation to PSG in Tuesday’s first leg round of 16 clash at Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana were badly outclassed by Les Parisiens with Kylian Mbappe netting a hattrick and Koeman was quick to praise the French star.
“They were superior, they were very efficient, in particular thanks to to Mbappe,” Koeman said.”The first half was balanced. At 1-0, Ousmane [Dembele] had a good opportunity. In the second part of the match, we had some defence problems.
“They showed that they were superior, with the ball and especially physically.
“They had a more complete team than ours. We have to accept it and keep improving. We know that can happen. This team is ahead of us.”
Barca famously came back from a 4-0 first-leg deficit to send PSG crashing out of the Champions League with a 6-1 second-leg triumph in 2017.
‘La Remontada’ or ‘the comeback’ has become forged in European football legend but Koeman has little hope of a similar turnaround at the Parc des Princes.
“Losing 1-4 is very difficult. There are very few possibilities to come back,” he said.”We are missing things to be at the best level, especially in the Champions League.”
Barcelona have never progressed in a European knock-out tie after losing their first home game.
It is the first time Barcelona have lost back-to-back home games in the Champions League/European Cup and the first time they have conceded three or more goals in back-to-back home games in European competition.
