Mixed feeling for Kombouare after bore draw

Paris Saint-Germain boss Antoine Kombouare declared himself happy with a point after Sunday’s dour 0-0 draw with Lille at the Parc des Prince.

The side from the French capital could have returned to the summit of Ligue 1 with a win, but after a dismal stalemate, they instead remain second behind Montpellier on goal difference and still two points ahead of defending champions Lille in third.

When asked after the game if he was content with a share of the spoils, Kombouare replied in the affirmative, arguing that a point was a good result given he felt Wednesday’s Europa League clash with Athletic Bilbao had taken its toll on his players.

“At half time, I felt there were opportunities to hurt them (Lille) and score,” Kombouare said. “But at the end of the game, Wednesday’s game was in the legs.”

“It’s a mixed feeling. We had the better chances early in the match, but then it was more complicated.”

“It is a tribute to this great Lille machine. We came across a great team. On both sides, the defences triumphed over the attacks.”

Kombouare is now hoping that his side can move into the winter break on a high by defeating Saint-Etienne in midweek.

“What’s important now is the recovery ahead of a great match on Wednesday,” he said. “We have a very important game ahead of us in Saint-Etienne.”

“We are entering the cauldron. But (a win) would give us a great boost ahead of a deserved holiday because it has been a tough five months.”