Ancelotti takes positives from cup defeat

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti believes his team’s Coupe de France exit will allow them to focus on Ligue 1.

The league leaders suffered a 3-1 loss to Lyon in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, their first defeat since Ancelotti took over in December last year.

While Ancelotti was quick to call on his team to regain focus, the Italian also said the cup exit could suit their league aspirations.

“We might get (from this defeat) the opportunity to be more focused on the league which is our first objective,” he said.

“Losing a home game is not good, but we need to look ahead.”

PSG took the lead against Lyon thanks to Nene’s 19th-minute penalty, but the visitors struck through Kim Kallstrom, Lisandro Lopez and Bafetimbi Gomis.

Ancelotti, whose team face Bordeaux in the league on Sunday, was unimpressed with his team’s first half, and said they needed to start putting together 90-minute performances.

“We have lost. We need to watch the game. I think during the first half, we were not good,” he said.

“We were much better in the second half. We need to be able to play 90 minutes in the same way we did in the second half.”

PSG sporting director Leonardo also urged Ancelotti’s men to move on and focus on the league.

“This defeat doesn’t change anything. We will keep our philosophy. It won’t change. We wanted to go through but it’s over now. It doesn’t matter anymore,” he said.

“Now, the objective is the league. We have 10 games left and Bordeaux on Sunday.”