Monaco-PSG: "For me, there is a penalty, it could be called," says Pocognoli regarding Marquinhos's handball
Belgian coach Pocognoli expressed disappointment over a potential penalty not called during AS Monaco's 2-3 defeat to PSG in the Champions League playoffs.
In a recent match, AS Monaco faced PSG in a tense Champions League playoff, ultimately suffering a 2-3 defeat. Monaco's Belgian coach, Pocognoli, expressed regret over the outcome, particularly highlighting the controversy surrounding a handball by PSG's Marquinhos, which he believes warranted a penalty. Despite the loss, Pocognoli emphasized the need to focus on their performance and the areas for improvement ahead of the return match.
Pocognoli noted that the team initially had a strong start, leading 2-0 before playing with a significant disadvantage of one player due to a red card. He acknowledged that while they managed to keep hold of the ball effectively at times, the overwhelming possession of PSG posed challenges, making it difficult for his team to maintain their momentum or exert sufficient pressure. The coach underscored the importance of pressing and working without the ball, recognizing that maintaining freshness during the match was critical to their strategy.
Looking ahead, Pocognoli hinted at the necessity of learning from their mistakes and preparing for a more resilient performance in the next leg. The emphasis was on maintaining morale and the belief that they could improve, keeping the door open for a potential comeback in the second match against PSG, reflecting the competitive spirit of both teams in this high-stakes tournament.