Marco Verratti had a performance to forget in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg loss to Bayern Munich.
Verratti earned a start in the match as a central defensive midfielder, and he often struggled to maintain possession against Bayern Munich’s high-octane pressing system. Verratti also gifted Bayern Munich its second goal of the tie, as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting provided the reigning Bundesliga champions with a 1-0 lead in the match moments after the Italian midfielder lost possession in PSG’s defensive third.
Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Italian national team’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying fixture against England, the PSG midfielder took some time to look back on his sluggish return leg performance against Bayern Munich.
“Criticism is part of football,” Verratti said. “I was wrong, and I was criticized. … I know when I’m wrong, I have broad shoulders. I have a huge passion for football, a criticism won’t stop me.”
PSG has crashed out in the Champions League round of 16 in back-to-back seasons.
