Champions League

Unai Emery "very convinced" Paris Saint-Germain can still qualify

By Daniel Lewis, Senior ReporterPublished: 16 February 2018 4:45 PM

Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery claims that his side "had control" of their first leg against Real Madrid and is confident of overturning the 3-1 deficit next month.

Unai Emery has insisted that he takes full responsibility for Paris Saint-Germain's first-leg defeat to Real Madrid, but is "convinced" that his side can still progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

The runaway Ligue 1 leaders came unstuck at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night when losing a one-goal lead to go down 3-1 against the back-to-back European champions.

PSG, whose success this season will be measured by how far they advance on the continent, have a chance to redeem themselves when the sides lock horns in the return leg at the Parc des Princes early next month.

Speaking two days on from the defeat in Madrid, an unperturbed Emery told reporters: "The team had a good game, football is like that. We did not want this result, but on the pitch that's what I wanted.

"I am very convinced that we can qualify. It will take more efficiency to score. My coaching? These are things we have worked on beforehand in the season. It could have been better.

"We had control. It's football. It's the competition. They may be angry but they respect their teammates. I'm sure we'll go, there's a game left. I take on all the responsibilities."

PSG have scored 127 goals in 39 games in all competitions this season - the most of any team in the top five European leagues.