Paris Saint-Germain might be relieved that at least they could pull out a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday night at the Parc des Princes. However, that’s not how Kylian Mbappé is seeing the result.
For now, he saved PSG from a certain UEFA Europa League appearance with his successful penalty kick. As a result, it allows them to control their destiny, still heading into the final UEFA Champions League matchday and clinching a knockout stage ticket.
Nonetheless, Mbappé offered his initial reaction to the draw that, for him, possibly feels like a loss.
“There is no reason to feel relieved,” Mbappé told Canal+ (h/t Paris Fans). “You have to remain under pressure. We still have a match to win. We’re going to win it. Now there is the championship, where we have to win the matches, but we are going to Dortmund to win.
“I believe there is always an opportunity to be first. That’s our objective from the start. It’s up to us to go to Dortmund with the ambition and the certainty that we will win.”
While the result isn’t ideal for the Ligue 1 side, they encounter the daunting task of needing a road win. PSG has struggled with two losses in this UEFA Champions League group stage on the road. Even though, on paper, the Parisians should beat the Bundesliga side, the squad doesn’t give off confidence.
Regardless, a win and they’re into the round of 16, and PSG can win the group, securing all three points as Luis Enrique and Co. hold the tiebreaker over Dortmund.