Umtiti recalls PSG s reversal: If they pressed out, the situation would be completely different

Hupu November 16 News Umtiti certainly has not forgotten that crazy night at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017. It was undoubtedly one of the best nights in his career. This Friday, as a special guest of RMC Radio's "Génération After" program, Samuel Umtiti, who has just retired and is now a DAZN commentator, took the opportunity to review Barcelona's famous "shocking comeback" against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

After suffering a heavy defeat in the first round at the Parc des Princes, Barcelona experienced an incredible script at their home court and completed an incredible feat, turning everything around with a score of 6-1. That night, Umtiti also played a dominant game in the fiery atmosphere of Camp Nou.

"Before this game, Luis Enrique told us that we were going to change our tactics and play with a back three. We had two games to practice this tactic and he said to us: 'We will be man-to-man at the back, I don't care'. We practiced certain phases of the game and the tactics were very clear," recalled Umtiti, who still has a twinkle in his eye when referring to Luis Enrique, a truly incredible coach.

"He made me improve a lot in the way I look at football, he really pays attention to details. His tactical training sessions, I rarely see like that, he prepared everything for this second leg game. He told us: 'They scored four of us, we can score six of them, don't worry'. He got into our minds and he did a great job. Great, the whole Barcelona believed it was possible. On the day of the game, everyone was calm and Iniesta was very calm and spoke calmly to us in the dressing room. He said to us: 'Guys, we know what to do.' I was thinking: 'We conceded four goals in the first leg, but how can you be so calm?'

Paris Saint-Germain, which was still in a promotion position until the 87th minute, completely collapsed, allowing Barcelona to complete a historic reversal. "If PSG had come out to press us, it would have been a completely different game. I remember Cavani wanted to press from the kick-off, but everyone said to him: 'Hey, come back,' and I expected them to come out and press, but they didn't. It ended up getting us into the game even more, and if you put a little pressure on us and you score a goal, then that's it." It's over... Even when Cavani scored (in the 62nd minute), I didn't think it was over. Luis Enrique said in his pre-match talk: 'Even if they score one for us, we can score one, two for them... don't worry'. I was impressed by his pre-match talk, as if everything was ready," recalled Umtiti.

"Maybe with VAR things will be different, I don’t know. Of course luck was on our side, but we also took the initiative to fight for this luck, which ultimately helped us succeed. This is one of the few times in Barcelona that I can feel the whole sport It was one of those games that shocked everyone. After the game, the scene was crazy. I still remember Neymar saying before the game: "Look, I'm going to score two goals today." I felt like I was dreaming in that game!