Christophe Galtier was relieved to see his Paris Saint-Germain side bounce back from an "average" first half to beat Maccabi Haifa 3-1 in Champions League Group H on Wednesday.
The Ligue 1 champions fell behind to Tiaronn Chery's strike midway through the first half, but they went in at the break level thanks to Lionel Messi's close-range finish.
The Argentinian's goal saw him move clear of long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the player to have scored against the highest number of opponents in the Champions League (39).
It also meant he became the first player in history to score in 18 different Champions League seasons.
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar added to Messi's goal in the second half as PSG won their opening two matches in a Champions League campaign for the first time since 2019-20 under Thomas Tuchel, when they went on to reach the final.
While Galtier was unimpressed with his side's below-par display in the first half, he praised his players for the way they reacted to his instructions after the break.
"We had two or three big situations in the first period and they had some too; they pushed hard in what was a big atmosphere," he told RMC Sport 1.
"We were not well organised and we were quickly cut in two. It made for a very difficult first period. We had to rectify things and after the break we were much more compact.
"The opponents are always of very good quality in the Champions League. We had to react after the first period which was average, especially on a tactical level.
"We were cut open, our team block was low and Maccabi pushed high. From the moment the front three went down to get back in the block, we were better.
"It was not a question of lack of effort, but a question of poor analysis of the pressure between our midfielders and our attacking trio."
Mbappe's strike means he has now scored 30 goals in 46 Champions League games for PSG, taking him level with Edinson Cavani as the club's highest scorer in the competition.
Like his coach, the 23-year-old was not impressed with PSG's first half and says they need to improve quickly.
"We fell asleep a bit and we conceded this first goal," he told Canal+. "Then we reacted well. We started to install our game and make differences. We were able to score the second and seal the win at the end with the third.
"We have to improve. We will have to work. We work during the week but now we have to get results quickly because the important things will happen quickly, like the World Cup."
Kirby completes free transfer to Brighton after Chelsea departure
Fran Kirby has joined Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer following her departure from Chelsea.
The England international won five Women's Super League titles during her nine-year stint with the Blues, for whom she scored 108 goals in 195 appearances.
Brighton finished ninth in the WSL last season, and will certainly be boosted by Kirby's vast experience, having also been part of the triumphant Lionesses side at Euro 2022.
The 31-year-old is the Seagulls' third signing ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, after Japan striker Kiko Seike and Netherlands defender Marisa Olislagers.
"I'm a competitive person and I wanted to come to a club that matched my ambitions, to set high standards on and off the pitch, and to use my experience to help the young players develop," Kirby told the club's official website.
"I want to help create a culture with a group of players who want amazing success.
"I wanted to stay in this league because I still want to be competing week in week out. And as long as I can help a team progress, that's what I want to do."
Blind embracing 'different' Euro 2024 role despite reduced playing time
Daley Blind is embracing playing a more supportive role for the Netherlands, despite his lack of playing time at Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old is appearing at his fourth major tournament with the Oranje, who he represented at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, as well as Euro 2020.
However, his playing involvement has been far more limited this time around, with the defender only appearing for the final minute of the 3-0 victory over Romania in the round of 16.
Blind was made aware this would be the case ahead of the tournament following a discussion with head coach Ronald Koeman, who encouraged him to use his vast experience to benefit the younger players in the squad.
"It's different, and it takes some getting used to," the Girona defender told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. "In this role, you try to help your team-mates, keeping them sharp and motivated. Some have it hard at times.
"You want to play yourself, of course, but it is a choice the coach has made, and I try to be a helping hand where necessary. I knew what my role would be after speaking to the coach before the tournament started.
"But the fact that this was going to be my role never meant for a moment that I didn't want to come to the tournament. It's a great honour to play for the Dutch team, and certainly at a final tournament."
The Netherlands are gearing up for a quarter-final showdown with Turkiye in Berlin on Saturday.
England or Switzerland will await the winners in the last four, where the Oranje are aiming to advance for the first time in this competition since 2004.
"Hopefully, it will be a great match," Blind added. "Turkiye bring a lot of emotion and passion, so we'll have to be wary of that. It is a quarter-final at a major tournament, and that is always a tough event."
'A new tournament starts' - Batista urges Venezuela to move on from perfect group stage
Fernando Batista acknowledged Venezuela's perfect Copa America group-stage record is no longer relevant, as his side prepare to face Canada in the quarter-finals.
La Vinotinto won their opening three matches at the tournament for the first time in their history, as they soared to the top of Group B with victories over Ecuador, Jamaica and Mexico.
Only Uruguay (nine) scored more goals during the group phase than Venezuela (six), who are now aiming to reach only their second Copa America semi-final (matching their performance of 2011).
While Batista was delighted by his side's early exploits in the United States, he insists they must put it behind them in their quest for victory over Canada.
"It's all very nice what we experienced in the first round, but it's over now," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"Nothing has been achieved yet. We are a growing team that knows that the next final is tomorrow.
"There's still a long way to go, and what's over is over. Now, a new tournament starts, because you can't rely on a draw or a previous result."
"Defensively, Canada are strong and aggressive, and they have a lot of strength in midfield," he added.
"The idea is to try to win in the 90 or 95 minutes of the game. Obviously, we practise penalties, but it's not our objective."
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