Ancelotti unhappy to share spoils with Barca

Posted Wednesday, April 03, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Paris Saint-Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti believed his team deserved more from the first leg of their Champions League quarter final tie with Barcelona.

Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the equalizer against his former club after Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi had given Barcelona the lead in the first half. The Catalans were then awarded a penalty late in the second period, which Xavi duly converted, but Blaise Matuidi pulled Paris Saint-Germain back on level terms with what was the last kick of the game.

Ancelotti told uefa.com that his players had performed well at the Parc des Princes and should have come away with a first-leg lead.

"I personally don't think it was a good result. We played well going forward, scoring twice. We defended well but conceded twice. We gave [Lionel] Messi the first goal and a second gift came later," he said.

"However, I'm proud of what my players produced. I'm proud of their bravery and of the good attitude they showed. I'm just unhappy with the result."

Prior to his late goal, Matuidi was all over the park for PSG, excelling in his defensive role while also popping up in attacks. However, a foul on Andres Iniesta earned him a yellow card and a suspension from the second leg.

Barcelona star Messi is also a doubt for the return game at the Camp Nou after being taken off at half-time due to hamstring issues.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti was more concerned with the absence of his own man for the return encounter.

"If Messi is out for the second leg, it won't change our approach much. We must go to Barcelona and score. But tonight [Tuesday] my team managed that and that was pleasing. We just didn't manage to keep it tight at the other end," he stated.

"Blaise [Matuidi]'s absence [through suspension] is an blow. He is a very important player. I hope we will have Thiago Motta back to replace him. We also have [Clément] Chantôme, a very aggressive player who can do well. We have enough options in midfield. The second leg will be very difficult but we want to score two goals there, which we managed to do this evening. I have confidence."

The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will take place on the 10th of April.