Carlo Ancelotti had mixed feelings after Napoli’s 2-2 draw with PSG. “We had almost won and are happy with the performance, but…”

The Partenopei put in a fantastic performance at Parc des Princes, taking the lead twice through Lorenzo Insigne’s lob and a Dries Mertens finish, but were pegged back by a Mario Rui own goal and last-gasp Angel Di Maria curler.

Carlo Ancelotti had mixed feelings after Napoli’s 2-2 draw with PSG. “We had almost won and are happy with the performance, but…”

The Partenopei put in a fantastic performance at Parc des Princes, taking the lead twice through Lorenzo Insigne’s lob and a Dries Mertens finish, but were pegged back by a Mario Rui own goal and last-gasp Angel Di Maria curler.

“We had almost won and are happy with the performance, but are angry and regretful at conceding at the 93rd minute,” Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia.

“Di Maria can create a shot into the far top corner at the last minute, that’s what happens when you have that much quality in the side.

“I think the second leg will be decisive for qualification from this group, we’re playing on home turf and I think that’ll be an extra bonus.”

Ancelotti was asked about his tactical decisions, choosing Nikola Maksimovic for a ‘three-and-a-half-man’ defence moving depending on possession.

“With three forwards like that, inevitably PSG don’t have a fantastic balance. It’s also difficult to think they could leave some of them out.

“In the first half, Mario Rui had a lot of freedom because Kylian Mbappé didn’t track back much. In the second half, PSG changed their system and Maksimovic played at a high level, but they pressed us more in Mario Rui’s area.

“It’s possible they will use that second half system at the San Paolo, but after a while we did adjust and find counter-measures by spreading the full-backs a little wider.

“The help from the two strikers, who took turns to come back and help out, made a big difference. Allan and Marek Hamsik gave us a very important balance in midfield.”

Napoli dominated the initiative for an hour and had several more chances, including Mertens hitting the bar.

“We had more spaces and could’ve finished better, but were too sluggish, especially towards half-time.”

This was a return to his old hunting ground for Ancelotti, who famously has a great rapport with Di Maria.

“I had a wonderful period here and am always happy to see these players again. Now we await them in Naples. I love Angel Di Maria, of course if he’d fired the shot wide, I’d have been happier…”

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