Does PSG benefit from exposing a flaw in the new format? – Firstpost

At the top of Europe in January. Out of the Champions League by early March. Liverpool’s reward for having dominated the format of the new competition league was to meet a roadblock in the form of Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot described his team as “therefore, so unlucky” to come against “one of the best teams in Europe” after losing 4-1 during a penalty shootout in Anfield on Tuesday.

“This is the format in which we are and we have to accept it,” he said.

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The competition for the end of 16 finished 1-1 on the total after the first half’s goal of Ousmane Dembele canceled the 1-0 victory from Liverpool on Tuesday in the first leg.

It is one of the quirks of the Reworked Champions League which, despite the head of the League, with victories against European giants, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, Liverpool then had to face a PSG resurgent team that had to rely on the life of the playoffs to go to this stage.

“We go out in a way that I think we have impressed Europe. But it is now to take into consideration the value of the value of finishing first in the league table if you can face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round,” said Slot. “But in the end, if you want to win the tournament, you have to beat teams like Paris Saint-Germain and that’s what we have not done today.”

The performance of PSG which triumphed in Anfield seemed clearly different from that which fought in the early stages of the competition – when the team lost against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as removing points against the PSV Eindhoven.

The French champion showed that it was a threat by beating Manchester City 4-2 in January and dominated Liverpool in Paris before falling to a late boost from Harvey Elliott.

He had to travel a storm sometimes in the second stage – including a survivor at a Jarrell Quansah header who hit the post – but the Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson, also had to make a series of backups to keep the team at home in the running.

“It was the best football match in which I was involved,” said Slot.

PSG coach Luis Enrique later said that the two teams were able to progress before Gianluigi Donnarummma saves penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones during the shooting.

“Today we have shown the kind of team we are. We have a huge personality