Against OL, PSG was unable to compete. If in the first leg, the absences could have explained this gap, Fabrice Abriel admits that the Fenottes are a cut above.
How do you analyze this defeat of PSG against OL (0-2)?
Fabrice Abriel: Generally, I don't intervene directly. I let the temperature go down. I analyze the stats and sequences to have an opinion on which to rely to move forward. We did things well, but also things to improve.
What was the game plan?
We wanted to create doubt in this team which had just been eliminated in the Coupe de France. We had a game plan while relying on the many spectators present this evening. Everything changes when we concede this goal at the start of the match. Psychologically, we know that everything we have put in place no longer holds and that we will have to go find them. After the second goal, it's the same.
What positive things do you remember?
We respected the game plan in the second half. I found it quite interesting. Even if we created few scoring chances to make the difference. We did better in possession in our previous matches. We were around 600 passes while this (Saturday) evening, we were around 400. That's significantly less. But these stats are the same for Lyon.
“OL were stronger individually”
Was playing in front of more than 20,000 people a disadvantage in the end?
-There was stress on some of our young players. But we also have experienced players to compensate. We know that we have the youngest team in Europe. We are here to try to improve the playing conditions. This (Saturday) evening, we felt a little shy. Not to mention players like Chawinga, who had favorable counterattacks. Opposite, the opponent was stronger individually.
Do you think there is a big gap between PSG and OL?
If I tell you that there is little difference between Lyon and Paris, you will tell me that I have to reason with myself. Now, in a match, a lot can happen. We saw it last week with Reims which eliminated Lyon. But in the long term, it's complicated to compete over a season.
Has this season already failed?
We will take stock at the end of the season. We had high goals. When we get knocked out of a competition like the Champions League, it inevitably reduces the possibility of achieving our goals. Now, the current situation is not the responsibility of one person, but of a collective. The club does everything to be in contact with all that we can be. Although it is true that these are difficult times at the moment.
