Liverpool

Sagna admits Paris attacks on his mind during Liverpool defeat

Published Nov. 23, 2015 5:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna admitted the terrorist attacks in Paris last week were still playing on his mind during Saturday's 4-1 loss at home to Liverpool.

Sagna was a member of the France team who played Germany at the Stade de France on 13 November, the night the French capital was hit by a series of attacks which resulted in 130 deaths.

The former Arsenal defender also played in a friendly for France on Tuesday night at Wembley, when tributes were paid to the victims of the attacks on a very emotional evening.

He then endured a miserable Saturday night at the Etihad, losing possession to Philippe Coutinho in the build-up to the crucial opening goal.

"To me it is a foul because he clearly pushed me," said Sagna. "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. I was too upset. I was thinking about what happened, but I shouldn't."

Asked if he felt he was ready for the match, Sagna replied: "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.

"It has not been my best week, but that is life. There is nothing you can do about it. This is part of the past. Just keep the head up. It was not easy to be part of that event, but that is life."

And Sagna says City need to write off the heavy loss to Liverpool as a bad day at the office and bounce back quickly.

"It was one of those days," Sagna said. "I think we played badly, myself first. We made a few mistakes against a good team and they scored.

"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.

"We are still not far from the top of the table, tomorrow is another day."

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