“When you’re good, it doesn’t hit the post, it goes in”: Kylian Mbappé reacts to Champions League exit

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·8 May 2024

“When you’re good, it doesn’t hit the post, it goes in”: Kylian Mbappé reacts to Champions League exit

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé (25) spoke to the media following yet another frustrating Champions League exit for his side at the hands of Borussia Dortmund.

Despite hitting the woodwork four times over the 90 minutes and six times if you include last week’s first leg defeat, the Parisians could not find a way through a heroic Dortmund side, who made sure of qualification thanks to the outstanding Mats Hummels’ header five minutes into the second half.

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Outgoing Kylian Mbappé peripheral in disappointing defeat

With a move to Real Madrid on the cards upon the expiration of his contract this summer, there was an onus and expectation on Kylian Mbappé to lead PSG to their maiden Champions League triumph, but both he and the team around him once again fell short over the two legs.

Post match, PSG’s record goalscorer did not look for excuses, pointing to his side’s lack of efficiency in front of goal:

“We have to score. We had opportunities to score and when you don’t do it, when you aren’t effective in both boxes, it’s hard to go to the next round. It doesn’t mean we have to throw it all away! This team gave alot, they tried to make all the fans proud, but it wasn’t enough. We will have to take what worked and continue to improve, because we still have the Coupe de France final to play, the season can’t stop here because the Coupe de France is an important objective. I don’t know if they were better than us, but there’s no need to put down the opponent. In my humble opinion, they were better than us in both boxes. Everyone will analyse it, but the truth is that they attacked us once or twice and scored and we entered their box several times and didn’t score. It’s impossible to ignore this. I don’t like talking about bad luck, if you’re good, you don’t hit the post, it goes in. Today we weren’t good enough where we were expected to be: In the forward areas.”

Mbappé was a peripheral figure in both legs of the semi-final, well marshalled by a committed, dogged Dortmund defence. The Frenchman, it what was in all probability his final European appearance for Les Parisiens before his protracted summer switch to Spanish champions Real Madrid:

” I tried to help the team as much as I could, it wasn’t enough. When we speak about effectiveness in the box, I am the first person concerned. I am the guy that needs to score the goals and be decisive. When it happens, I get all the credit. When it doesn’t, I have to get the blame too, there is no problem with that. The first person who had to score tonight was me, but that’s life. We have to get over it, both me and the team. If we summarise this season, accounting for the fact that we have a new project with young players, I would say it hasn’t been bad. We always want to win at PSG. We are sad. I’ll say it again, we have to win the Coupe de France and then we’ll see. Today isn’t the time.”

Another season, another disappointment for Luis Enrique’s side. They might be getting closer, but they fell short again.

GFFN | Jack McArdle