PSG's Neymar on CL quarter-final: We fought like a great team

PSG’s star striker insists French club dug deep to knock out defending champs Bayern Munich on away goals despite losing 0-1 in quarter-final second leg

After Neymar missed several chances to finish off defending champion Bayern Munich, PSG was left clinging to a 1-0 home defeat that nevertheless sealed the French club’s second straight Champions League semi-final.

Bayern had to score twice on Tuesday after losing 3-2 in Germany in the first leg of their quarter-final and survived several scares from livewire Neymar in the first half before largely taking control in the second.

‘Final punch missing’

But without the prolific Robert Lewandowski, the six-time champions lacked a cutting edge and could not add to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s first-half goal against his former club. “Normally, my team have so much quality in the final third, but today they were lacking that final punch,” Bayern coach Hansi Flick said. “We have to accept that, even though we would have liked a different outcome.” 

After losing 1-0 to Bayern in last year’s final, PSG stands one step away from the second final of its 51-year history and remains on course to win it for the first time.

“We fought like a great team, we beat the European champions,” Neymar said. “We’re a very competitive team that sticks together.”

Eventful first half

Neymar had three shots saved by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and hit the woodwork twice in an eventful first half that tilted Bayern’s way when Choupo-Moting headed home in the 40 minute. 

“Congratulations to my players, all the credit goes to them,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, who led his former club Tottenham to the final in 2019. “You should never give up.”

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PSG’s win over Bayern is the first time in UCL history where the previous season’s losing finalists have eliminated the holders in the knock-out stage

‘I feel happier than before at PSG’

Striker Neymar called PSG his home after the team’s 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich, which was still enough for the French club to advance to the Champions League semi-final. The Brazilian is currently negotiating a contract extension. “I don’t think this is even a topic anymore, I obviously feel very comfortable, at home at PSG,” Neymar said after the match in Paris. “I feel happier than before.”

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