Poch demands greater PSG creativity
Mauricio Pochettino insists Paris Saint-Germain must work harder to break teams down after losing ground in the title race with a shock 2-0 home loss to Monaco.
Sofian Diop and Guillermo Maripan scored either side of half-time to rock the French champions, who are now third in Ligue 1, four points adrift of pacesetters Lille.
Incredibly, Les Parisiens had only one shot on target in a dismal performance as Pochettino lost for only the second time since replacing Thomas Tuchel last month.
We were not good enough and that is why we lost.
Mauricio Pochettino
The result was even more of a surprise coming just a few days after the Parc des Princes outfit had crushed Barcelona 4-1 in the Champions League at Camp Nou.
PSG are seeking an eighth French title in the last nine seasons but have now lost six times in the league, including home and away defeats against Monaco.
Niko Kovac's side now trail them by just two points in the table, with Lille top and Lyon second in the standings.
Former Southampton and Tottenham boss Pochettino had few complaints after their latest setback, admitting his team need to show more ingenuity when facing defensive sides.
"We conceded after five minutes and then we were chasing them," Pochettino told reporters after the game. "We were not good enough and that is why we lost.
"We dominated the game with about 75 per cent possession of the ball but we never found a way to break down their defensive line. Of course they defended well but we now need to work hard to turn this situation around."
The reigning champions are 1.44 to successfully defend their title with Lille at 5.50, Lyon 5.50 and Monaco 21.00.
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