PSG v Atalanta: Juric stands by his tactics, takes a swipe at bus-parkers | OneFootball

This Wednesday, as part of the first matchday of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain faced Atalanta at the Parc des Princes. Ivan Juric, coach of the Italian team, spoke to Sky Italia after Paris’ 4-0 victory (video highlights PSG/Atalanta). He discussed the gap in quality and the choice of game plan.

Juric: “The teams that do that don’t even try and lose even worse.”

First of all, the Atalanta coach can’t hide it: PSG was simply too strong. It’s a message we always appreciate. It’s up to the Parisians to do what’s necessary to keep this going, knowing that tougher challenges lie ahead. This Italian team is at a good level, but is not a contender for the title.

As for the game plan, it’s always easier for journalists to criticize after the match. However, the choices were coherent. Atalanta stuck to its style of play and managed to trouble PSG at times. To get through, it was necessary to be at a very high level. When that level dropped even a little, in movement or precision, Paris was in difficulty.

Defending deep can work sometimes, just like very high pressing. Except that the Parisians often find a way through at some point, and the opposing team struggles to change its game to react. There are often defeats with the feeling that nothing was really attempted. As Juric points out. Anything is always possible, football is far from simple, with no magic formula.

Sticking to your footballing philosophy makes sense. Adapting can also fail and be all the more frustrating.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.