Rio Ferdinand slams PSG’s tactics and players after Newcastle United Champions League win
Rio Ferdinand has slated PSG’s tactics and players after they were humbled 4-1 by Newcastle United in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Newcastle won their first UCL game for 20 years with a commanding win over one of the giants of European football, thanks to outstanding goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar.
PSG were shocking, with a consolation from Lucas Hernandez their only bright spot in a dismal performance, with talisman Kylian Mbappe barely getting a kick of the ball.
Ferdinand Highlights Newcastle’s Tactics
This was largely down to the Magpies’ impressive pressing, something that Manchester United legend Ferdinand highlighted on TNT Sports:
‘It started from the first whistle. Anthony Gordon setting the tone, the whole team making sure they press. That set the tone for the whole game.
‘What are they [PSG] doing? In the first minute, they were in a good position, but they go back to the goalkeeper. They gave Newcastle chance to get the crowd up.
‘At one point they give the ball away three times in 20 seconds. Really bad starts to each half and they end up getting punished.
‘Slack, lazy, lack of concentration, focus – all of the above. It’s the opposite when you look at the Newcastle team. Truly focused, concentrating, dynamic, aggressive.
‘Tactically you have to get it right on the big stage. If you don’t you get punished especially in an atmosphere, a cauldron like this.’
Burn Reflects On Newcastle’s Performance
‘We wanted to entertain the crowd and get the crowd behind us, but we did well,’ Burn reflected post-match.
‘We knew PSG were not going to change the way they play. The times to play high up the pitch and we had the crowd pushing us, we had that for the last goal with the crowd pushing us on for Fabs’ [Schar] goal.’
Conclusion
Rio Ferdinand’s analysis of PSG’s tactics and players was spot on and highlights why Newcastle United were able to come away with such a convincing win. The Magpies’ impressive pressing and dynamic play was too much for PSG to handle, and it was only fitting that they were rewarded with a 4-1 victory in front of their home crowd.
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