Captain Zoumana Camara believes Paris Saint-Germain FC must look to the future after exiting the UEFA Europa League despite Wednesday's 4-2 victory against Athletic Club. Though Athletic still progressed as Group F winners, there was frustration at a first defeat.
Zoumana Camara, PSG defender
We feel disappointed but that's normal. We wanted to do well in this competition and we haven't managed to. But we didn't go out tonight; we lost our place in the next round by failing to win some of the previous games. If we had won in Bratislava, for example, we wouldn't be in this position. Looking back, I think we needed to be a bit more ruthless in that game.
We had chances to win it but we didn't take them. Unfortunately our destiny wasn't in our own hands tonight. But we have to look forward. We have won three games in a row and this is the best way to prepare for an important match against Lille [in Ligue 1 on Sunday]. We are still in two competitions and we are playing well again. We had a dip but we are getting back on track.
Kévin Gameiro, PSG forward
It's disappointing to be eliminated, but we did the job tonight. We got our third straight win and that will give us confidence. Going a long way in this competition was an objective for us, but it wasn't to be. Now we will focus on the French Cup and the league.
The goalless draw in Bratislava and the defeat in Salzburg cost us in the end. If we hadn't conceded the goal right at the death in Salzburg [on matchday five] we would have qualified. It's really infuriating, but we have to look forward and make sure we are ready for the next league game on Sunday.
Raúl, Athletic goalkeeper
It was an important game for me because I hadn't played for a long time. This performance will help give me confidence. I tried to remain calm and to seize the chance the coach had given me. I don't know if I could have kept out any of the goals. You always feel like goals are avoidable, but I was happy to have been able to help the team at times. We all worked hard together and we could have scored more than two but we just didn't get the breaks we needed.
Ibai Gómez, Athletic forward
I felt we dominated the first 30 minutes and I'd even say we were on top for 40 minutes of the second half. Unfortunately they made the most of their chances and we didn't. That's what matters, so we are going home disappointed. We didn't defend the set pieces well in the first half. That's something we'll have to work on to make sure it doesn't happen again in the future. We have a big squad and a good team so it's not easy to get regular football, but I'll try to take my chances when they come.
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