Laurent Blanc admits Barcelona were the better team against PSG

Laurent Blanc admits Barcelona were the better team against PSG

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc admitted that the better team progressed from his side's Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona.

However, he refused to accept complaints that PSG haven't moved forward as quickly as they should have given the money they have spent in recent seasons. 

Two first half goals from Neymar on Tuesday killed off any chance the French champions had of reversing the 3-1 defeat they suffered at Parc des Princes against Barça last week. 

"We haven't played our best, in fact, it was the opposite of that," Blanc conceded after the 2-0 loss at Camp Nou.

"In defence, especially, we have not played well over the two games. Even in attack we haven't had the movement we'd like. We will have to analyse that because if you don't score goals, you don't progress.

"So, in that sense, Barcelona have deserved to qualify for the last four. They caused us a lot of problems over the tie. They scored five goals; we scored one. Their individuals played with a lot of quality, but they also played well collectively. 

"The action [of Andres Iniesta] for the first goal was really good." 

While Barça now move in to their eighth Champions League semi-final in the last 10 years, PSG are eliminated at this stage for the third consecutive season. 

Pressed on if that was progress enough, Blanc advised patienece and suggested the win in the last round over Chelsea does show that forward steps are being taken. 

"I think that we have done something important [in Europe this season]," he explained. 

"We knocked out Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, playing with 10 men against 11. We have to remember the experience we have gained from that.

"But Barça have much more experience than us in the Champions League. You have to have patience. That may not be the primary concern of [club owners and directors], but it is an important virtue. 

"Barça are a club who have played in this competition for many years. I say again you have to have patience. In time, it will come."