Upset Sagna had Paris on his mind

BACARY Sagna admitted the Paris terror attacks were still playing on his mind as Manchester City were thrashed 4–1 by Liverpool.

The City defender was part of the France team playing Germany at the Stade de France on the night nine days earlier when the French capital was targeted by terrorists, who killed 130 people.

He was then caught up in the emotion of the tributes paid to the victims at Wembley as England hosted France last Tuesday, while City team–mate Eliaquim Mangala was another member of the squad.

Sagna and Mangala had a day to forget as they returned to Barclays Premier League action at the weekend, with title favourites City comprehensively outplayed by the Merseysiders.

They were unfortunately involved in Liverpool’s first goal after just seven minutes as Sagna was dispossessed by Philippe Coutinho and Mangala turned a Roberto Firmino pass into his own net.

Asked if he felt he was fouled by Coutinho in the build–up, Sagna said: “To me it is a foul because he clearly pushed me, but the game kept going and we conceded a goal.

“It is never easy. I felt guilty, but I had to keep the head up. But I was too upset. I was thinking about what happened, but I shouldn’t.”

Asked if he felt ready to play, the 32–year–old said: “Mentally I was. Physically I believed I was, but I wasn’t.

“I felt tired quite quickly. I didn’t have as much power as I am used to.”

Sagna did not offer excuses after a performance in which few City players emerged with any credit. The City team as a whole failed to live with the unrelenting intensity of Liverpool, who raced 3–0 ahead inside 32 minutes, and slipped to third in the table.

Sagna said: “It was one of those days. We were 3–0 down and it was quite difficult to play. We had heads down a bit, but we have to keep the heads up.”

Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Richard Skrtel also scored for Liverpool, while Sergio Aguero hit City’s consolation.