BSS
  27 Nov 2024, 09:52

PSG bullish despite latest Champions League setback

MUNICH, Germany, Nov 27, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo
Ramos insisted it was "not the end" of their Champions League campaign
despite Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Bayern Munich which left them stuck in the
lower reaches of the standings.

The defeat left PSG 26th in the 36-team table, outside the qualifying places
for the knockout phase.

The top eight sides go straight through to the last 16, while those from
ninth to 24th enter an extra knockout round.

Ramos, who made his return off the bench after injury, said the French
champions were "not afraid of anything" and still confident of making it to
the next round.

"We are all disappointed but there's nothing more we can do today. We are
focused on the next game and we can still go to the next round and we are
focused on that," he said.

"We will keep working. It's not the end of the Champions League for us."

The hosts took the lead in Munich when PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov,
starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, failed to clear a corner, allowing
Kim Min-jae to head home.

PSG's hopes of fighting their way back into the match were dashed when
Ousmane Dembele was sent off after picking up a second yellow with just over
half an hour remaining for an unnecessary challenge on Bayern's Alphonso
Davies.

"We have three games in the next months and we will work hard to win the
games and to go to the next round," Ramos said.

PSG still have to host English champions Manchester City, themselves looking
to get out of a form slump, and also have tricky away trips to Red Bull
Salzburg and Stuttgart.

A "disappointed" midfielder Joao Neves said his side were on the right track.

"The most important thing is that we play our football. We are sure that is
the best way to get through this stage and we will stay the same team from
the beginning to the end," he said.

"We will stick together, nobody will point fingers at each other."