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Yaya Touré had little to complain about after Slovan Bratislava were beaten 6-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener, but the former Manchester City star was left in no doubt about the size of the task facing his young side.
Touré, making history as the first African manager to lead a team in the Champions League league phase, watched PSG take control of the game and punish Slovan whenever space opened up at the Parc des Princes.
Ferran Torres scored three times, while Ousmane Dembélé added two goals and Fabián Ruiz completed the rout as the reigning European champions turned the match into a one-sided contest.
For Touré, the quality of Luis Enrique’s team was the biggest lesson of the night.
“They are a machine,” he said. “Defence, midfield, attack they’re complete. You can’t press them. They know each other so well. It’s not easy. They hurt you.”
The Ivorian did not hide his admiration for the way Enrique has put the PSG side together, particularly their movement and ability to attack with numbers.
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“I’d like to copy everything about this PSG. It’s incredible. Seeing the way Luis Enrique has built this team… they have everything from back to front. They are always in numbers, they move so well.”
Touré also made it clear that his players should not leave Paris feeling ashamed of the result. For him, the 6-1 scoreline reflected the gulf between a developing Slovan team and a PSG squad packed with elite talent.
“We have no regrets. We played against a stronger team tonight. My players gave everything. The gap is considerable between the two sides. When you face a team that is better than you, you understand it.”
The former Ivory Coast international went further by backing PSG to remain serious contenders for the trophy. He pointed to the depth of their squad and the number of players capable of deciding matches.
“PSG will come close to winning this trophy again. They are so strong in every aspect of the game. There are nine or ten Ballon d’Or nominees in that squad. The danger comes from everywhere.”
The defeat nevertheless leaves Touré and Slovan with a clear measure of the standard required in the competition. His first Champions League night as a manager ended in a heavy loss, but it also gave his side an early examination against the holders and one of Europe’s most complete teams.
