Mario Balotelli takes a huge dig at PSG following Champions League exit

Mario Balotelli has taken a huge dig at Paris Saint-Germain following their Champions League exit on Wednesday. 

Paris Saint-Germain had an unassailable 2-0 lead against Manchester United from Old Trafford, but they could not help themselves at their own backyard on Wednesday. The French outfit’s mistakes proved costly which helped the visitors to triumph 3-1 at Parc des Princes in the Champions League Round of 16 and progress to the last eight.

Romelu Lukaku’s brace and a stoppage time spot-kick from Marcus Rashford helped the Red Devils overcome a massive hurdle in the second leg. PSG have not qualified to the Quarterfinals of the competitions over the last four years and fans could not resist to make them as troll material following their exit.

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, who is currently plying his trade with Marseille took a huge dig at Paris Saint Germain following their exit from Europe’s competition. The Italian International has said that the French outfit have individual qualities, but they never stick as a team.

“I saw [the match against Manchester United], United deserved [to win],” Balotelli told the French publication, La Provence.

When a reporter asked “But, PSG are a strong team, no?

“No, they are not a very strong team. There are some very strong players, but it’s different,” he responded, in what appear to be his first comments on that match since he deleted a tweet after the game praising United.

The Marseille striker did admit that PSG have been unlucky in the Champions League despite their available quality in the squad.

“They have no luck in the Champions League. I have nothing against them and I like Manchester City [his former club], but I prefer that United won!”

As timely as Balotelli’s dig is, he does hit on an issue which has been consistently brought up about the PSG project: that consistently acquiring ludicrously expensive and talented players does not under any terms guarantee that you can create a cohesive team.

Paris Saint-Germain are currently thirteen points above the second-place Lille who have played one game more than the reigning Champions. Besides getting closer to the league title, they can do a double in France as they face Nantes in the semifinals of the Coupe de France.

PSG might have been a dominant force in the French top division, but they have handed out two unforgettable nights for their opponents in the last three years. Barcelona’s 6-1 victory at Nou Camp and Manchester United’s 3-1 triumph at their own backyard proves they are not able to compete in the Champions League.

As funny as Balotelli’s comment is, PSG must find a solution to break in the Champions League. Owners must decide whether to sack the manager, break the transfer record again, etc.

Speaking in the post-match interview after the defeat to Manchester United, Thomas Tuchel was totally livid with his players after throwing away a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

“It’s easy to explain: we made two gifts in the first half. We totally controlled the game in the first 30 minutes. We played with a lot of quality, a good mentality, a good reaction after this first gift to Manchester. We had a lot of opportunities.

“And there, without opportunity, without anything, there is this second goal of Manchester. And there, it’s as if everyone said to themselves: “They have two goals while they do not attack.” We controlled the game, it was a totally ridiculous result.”

He said: “I never felt that Manchester United was coming to win. But hey, they did it so congratulations for that.”

Speaking about the controversial penalty in the stoppage time, the PSG gaffer said  “Yes, clearly, I’m for the VAR. But I feel that the shot is not (on target) and if you make a shot that is not (on target) it does not make sense to get a penalty. ”

“I did not see and I think that with the rule of the hand, it is necessary to explain. He can explain the penalty because the rule is not clear.”