The league leaders were second best throughout and deserved to suffer their biggest defeat of the season. The result was also their fourth defeat in their past six matches across all competitions.
“At this level of competition, the way we lost is not acceptable,” Pochettino stated.
Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice for the hosts, flicking in a near-post cross and converting a late penalty, moving him two goals clear of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe as the league’s leading scorers with 17 goals.
In the interim, he set up Monaco’s second goal, with Kevin Volland shooting past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had been caught off guard by the manner of his team’s demise. Pochettino was visibly enraged by the manner of his team’s demise.
It also came after their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 after letting a 2-0 aggregate advantage slip away.
“We can’t start a game like we did this one,” Pochettino remarked. “You have to get over the disappointment of being eliminated from the Champions League.” You must consider offering your finest performance.
“We lacked battling spirit against a team that wanted to retaliate after being knocked out of the Europa League.” It’s inappropriate to begin the game in this manner. There is a sporting embarrassment. It can’t happen again. We can still lose games, but what happened should not have happened – and cannot happen again because it is severe.” The passion and performance must be shared by all. We must cease looking for justifications and pretexts.”
Mbappe was PSG’s only real threat with Lionel Messi out due to sickness. However, he had few opportunities to shine as the players in front of him were out-fought and out-thought by their ostensibly more motivated opponents.
“We might win 8-0 and no one would notice because they’d be focused on the Champions League,” Mbappe added. “We must maintain our professionalism and keep our families in mind.”
PSG still leads the table with 65 points after 29 games, 15 points ahead of Rennes, as well as Marseille and Nice, who will meet later on Sunday. Monaco has moved up to sixth place in the standings with 44 points.