If there was any doubt as to the strain that Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel is presently under, it became abundantly clear in his post-match press conference following the 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.
A Neymar penalty was enough to secure three points for the Parisians, yet the overall performance saw them post just 38% of possession as they were outplayed at home by the Bundesliga side.
Victory, however, was the essential thing for PSG as it keeps them in with a meaningful chance of qualification to the knockout stages.
The ugly nature of the win, though, was criticised by the local media. That incensed Tuchel.
“You said we needed a victory. Now we have it,” he replied in a pointed manner when quizzed on the issue by RMC Sport.
“I was pleased with the heart and our solidarity because we are in a difficult situation. I know that more is expected of us. But if we look seriously at the situation… we needed a victory and we have it.”
Tuchel then directly hit out at the interviewer.
“We played today to do what? With this team and these injuries? What are you waiting for? ... The challenge was to win, and we won. If you say it's more important to play well, but not to win, that's your opinion. Not mine. The most important thing before the game was to win,” he said.
Ask these questions in the changing room if you have the balls to do that! The players are dead. They gave everything.Thomas Tuchel
The most spectacular meltdown arrived in the press conference, when he exploded: “Ask these questions in the changing room if you have the balls to do that! The players are dead. They gave everything.
“I’m tired! I’m tired of meeting your expectations. If you have the courage, you can go and ask the questions in the changing room. You’ll find guys who are out on their feet, they gave their all.”
PSG will tackle Manchester United at Old Trafford next Wednesday – another fixture that they will approach under the utmost scrutiny.
Neymar Jr 
Kylian Mbappé 
Marquinhos 
PSG 
RB Leipzig 
