UEFA Champions League: Desire Doué admits PSG felt fear before sealing last-16 place against Monaco

Desire Doue said Paris Saint-Germain “felt stressed” after conceding late on, moments before confirming their place in the Champions League last 16 following a 2-2 draw at home to AS Monaco.

The result in the second leg of the play-off was enough to see Paris Saint-Germain progress to the next round of Europe’s premier competition, despite a tense finale at the Parc des Princes.

Speaking to Canal+ shortly after the final whistle, the Paris forward reflected on the emotions of the closing stages and his side’s response to adversity.

“When they scored at the end, we felt stressed and it was scary. We knew how to react because we were behind. We played a great team game. The objective is to dominate the whole match, but you also have to know how to come back from behind. Next time, we’ll try not to concede a goal, that’s important,” the Parisian striker told Canal+.

PSG had appeared on course for a more controlled evening but were tested when Monaco struck late in the match, raising the tension inside the stadium.

The equaliser ensured a nervous conclusion, even though the aggregate outcome ultimately favoured the hosts.

Doué emphasised the collective response from his team-mates, pointing to their ability to recover after falling behind during the contest.

While acknowledging that the aim is always to dictate proceedings from start to finish, he underlined the importance of resilience in high-stakes European ties.

The draw capped a competitive encounter between two domestic rivals on the continental stage.

For PSG, qualification for the round of 16 keeps their Champions League ambitions alive, though the late concession served as a reminder of the fine margins at this level.

As attention now turns to the next round, Doué’s comments reflect both relief and determination within the Paris camp following a dramatic night in the French capital.