Luis Enrique refuses to make use of Ballon d’Or as excuse for Marseille defeat

Luis Enrique dismissed the concept that the Ballon d’Or ceremony was a distraction after Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock defeat to Marseille in Le Classique.

PSG had not misplaced an away league recreation to Marseille since 2011, however got here unstuck this time round on the Stade Velodrome, with Nayaf Aguerd’s fourth-minute header proving sufficient for the hosts to assert the spoils.

The sport had been pushed again someday from Sunday attributable to storm warnings within the south of France, which means it clashed with the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, at which their injured ahead Ousmane Dembele was named the most effective male participant on the planet, with PSG successful the Membership of the 12 months award and Luis Enrique claiming the Johan Cruyff Trophy.

Dembele was capable of attend the ceremony together with Désiré Doué and Joao Neves, who’re additionally each coping with accidents.

However a number of PSG gamers who have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or have been unable attend as a result of rescheduling of the Marseille recreation.

Requested if that had performed on the minds of his gamers on the Stade Velodrome, Luis Enrique informed his post-game press convention: “I don’t agree. We pressed in a sensational manner, in an unbelievable manner.

“What we will criticise is the variety of easy errors we’ve made, an excessive amount of for such a recreation. I’m not proud of the outcome however with the ambition, confidence and DNA of the group, sure. And it’s regular to lose video games within the competitors. We don’t search for excuses.

“We all know what it’s wish to lose this type of recreation, for us and the followers. We performed the most effective recreation we might.

“Marseille performed effectively with depth and high quality, it was exhausting for each groups. That’s how high-level soccer is. It’s a disgrace for us however we should put together for the remainder of the season and attempt to proceed on our manner, in all competitions.”

PSG’s first defeat of the season places them second in Ligue 1, with Monaco high of the desk on targets scored. Lyon and Strasbourg are additionally degree with the highest two on 12 factors.