Yuriy Semin, the former coach of Lokomotiv Moscow, recently shared his thoughts on the first leg of the Champions League 1/8 final, where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fell to Liverpool 0:1. The match, which took place at PSG's home ground, showcased the home side's dominance for significant portions, without yielding results as they failed to convert chances.
Semin expressed satisfaction with the game overall, stating, "I really liked the match... but this substitution hurt PSG." His comments particularly focused on the timing of substitutions made by PSG head coach Luis Enrique, who seemed to change the momentum of the match shortly after his players were brought on. "They had just had the initiative and were poised to score, but then it shifted to Liverpool," added Semin.
The match statistics highlight PSG's strong performance, with the team registering 27 shots compared to Liverpool's mere 2. Despite this, it was Liverpool who capitalized on their opportunity with Harvey Elliott scoring the only goal of the game at the 87th minute, just after coming on as a substitute for Mohamed Salah.
Another focal point of the night was the disallowed goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who found the net at the 21st minute only to see it ruled out for offside. Reflecting on this moment, Khvicha expressed his frustration, stating, "I was really upset about the disallowed goal... We showed them we're the best team today." The talented Georgian forward was acknowledged by Semin as being the standout player of the match, saying, "Khvicha had many shots... he was everywhere on the pitch and for me, he became the best player of the match."
Despite the disheartening defeat, Semin and Khvicha both expressed determination to improve. Khvicha emphasized his commitment to continue working hard, stating, "I need to keep working, and results will come for the team and myself.”
Looking forward, the two teams are gearing up for the return leg at Anfield on March 11, which promises to be another intense encounter. Semin will certainly be watching closely to see if PSG can bounce back and overturn the first leg’s deficit.
With Liverpool currently holding the advantage, the upcoming match will be pivotal for PSG's ambition this season. Can they turn their fortunes around with the pressure mounting? Only time will tell as the teams prepare to clash once again.