Slovan Bratislava head coach Yaya Toure shared his admiration for Paris Saint-Germain following his side’s 6-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes. The match marked the reigning European champions’ opening defence of their title. Toure, a former Manchester City midfielder, expressed awe at PSG’s tactical structure and overall dominance.
Despite the significant scoreline, Toure stated that his players had no regrets after facing a squad that included ten Ballon d’Or nominees. The game also held personal significance for Toure, as he became the first African manager to lead a team in a Champions League proper match.
Toure’s praise for PSG’s complete unit
In his post-match press conference, Toure offered considerable praise for PSG manager Luis Enrique and the team he has assembled. He described the French club as a complete unit, capable of creating difficulties for opponents from all areas of the pitch. The Ivorian coach acknowledged the considerable gap in quality between the two teams, noting that his players gave their best against superior opposition.
Toure specifically stated, “I’d like to copy everything about this PSG.” He further elaborated, describing them as “a machine—defence, midfield, attack, they’re complete.” He added that it is difficult to press them, and they possess a strong understanding among themselves, making them a formidable opponent.
The coach was repeatedly asked about Ousmane Dembele, who was a key player for PSG, contributing two goals and two assists against Slovan Bratislava. Toure humorously remarked on Dembele’s performance, suggesting that the winger had reached peak form at an inopportune moment for his team. He recognized that facing a player of Dembele’s skill offered a valuable learning experience for his developing squad.
Toure commented on Dembele, saying, “He’s my disappointment tonight.” He also mentioned observing Dembele’s previous matches, noting, “I saw his last two or three matches, and he wasn’t in form, but tonight he really hurt us. He’s a fantastic player.”
Milestone for African coaching
Beyond the match result, Toure reflected on the broader importance of making history as a pioneering African coach on Europe’s most prominent club football stage. He highlighted the extensive effort required to reach this level of competition. Toure also predicted that PSG would again be contenders for the trophy.
Slovan Bratislava will now focus on their upcoming league phase fixtures, aiming to apply the tactical lessons learned during their match in Paris. Toure concluded by stating, “Paris is one of the best teams we will face.” He also noted that PSG showed respect to his team and played with dedication.
Toure, who is 43 years old, was set to face PSG, a team that holds the championship title after defeating Arsenal in the final of the previous season. Slovan Bratislava has won the Slovakian Premier League eight times in a row, and Toure played a role in guiding the team to the Champions League. Historically, no coach born in Africa had previously managed a team in the Champions League, though some coaches born in Africa, such as Carlos Queiroz, who was born in Mozambique, and Jean Tigana, born in Bamako, Mali, have achieved success in the competition.
The match on Wednesday saw Toure’s Slovan Bratislava face Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
Source: goal.com
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