Under-Pressure Blanc Acknowledges PSG Problems
Paris St. Germain have drawn their last three games 1-1 despite taking the lead on each occasion, with the latest stalemate at home to Lyon leaving them fifth in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc on Tuesday acknowledged that his team are having "a bit of a hard time" just a week before their Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The reigning French champions have drawn their last three games 1-1 despite taking the lead on each occasion, with Sunday's stalemate at home to Lyon leaving them fifth in Ligue 1.
"It is true that all these draws are not reassuring. We must acknowledge that we are going through a bit of a hard time," said Blanc at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Caen.
"Everyone, the players, the coach and the members of staff, must ask questions of themselves," added the under-pressure coach.
"But we get the impression that things can very quickly go one way or the other. We could plunge into real difficulty, but we could also get going again like we did last year with a few victories. That is the best remedy."
Blanc also urged his team to "give everything in every match", regardless of the opponents.
PSG are still unbeaten this season, but they were held by Ajax in Amsterdam last week in their opening Champions League group game.
That places added importance on next Tuesday's meeting with Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, but before that they must go to Caen and Toulouse as they look to close the three-point gap opened up by early leaders Marseille.
"The matches against Ajax and Lyon were difficult, but it is in that difficulty that we can raise our game," said Blanc. "But we mustn't differentiate between Ligue 1 and the Champions League. We have to give everything in our domestic matches if we want to be at our best in the Champions League."
He added that his team "were doing things last year that they have not yet done this season".
His side have visibly tired in recent matches, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic had one of his poorest games for PSG against Lyon, and the coach admitted that fatigue was an issue.
"I don't want to always hide behind that. But it is what I think, so I'll say it: to say that there is a physical problem at PSG is not rubbish.
"But knowing when we will be fully ready...I think it will be the end of September or the start of October."