Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has said he did not intend to celebrate in front of Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich after PSG advanced on away goals and in the Champions League semi-finals.
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The draw, which ended 3-3, was a rematch with last season’s Champions League final, which Bayern won 1-0. Before Tuesday’s match, Bayern’s Kimmich and Thomas Muller said they were confident the German champion would go through at the Parc des Princes.
But it was PSG who prevailed, with Neymar celebrating with his team-mate Leandro Paredes in front of an irritated Kimmich when the referee whistled full-time.
“It’s funny because I did not even celebrate to mess with him, it was more with Leo and I ended up celebrating with him. It was fate that brought me close to [Kimmich], “Neymar said TNT Sports Brasil after the match. “He said their team was better, that they would win. He was sure they would go to the semi-finals.”
Bayern won 1-0, despite suffering throughout the match, with Neymar hitting the woodwork twice, but it was not enough for them to progress.
However, that did not stop Bayern coach Hansi Flick from saying that his team is more deserving of moving on.
“Over both games I think we were the better team,” said Flick, who had to do without injured striker Robert Lewandowski for both games. “We had a bit of luck back, we were missing some players, but we have to accept that.”
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino responded to Flick, saying the comments from the German players were fair before the game.
“It’s normal for them to be confident; they are a team that has won everything and they thought they were the favorites,” Pochettino said.
“Football is such a beautiful game, but it’s also a game in which you never give up and you have to fight. But I understand why they said they were confident. It’s normal to play mind , “he added.
Neymar praised his teammates, but said PSG is now the favorite. They will face Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals.
“The message we had to send was last season, when we reached the final, played a great game against Bayern, who were the best team last year. This year I did not see it that way,” said Neymar. “During the draw, I told my teammates that we were going to face Bayern, and it happened.
“I told them to be calm, that we were prepared. We have to show it to ourselves, that we can do it. It was a great game, even though we beat, we played better.”
The club and Neymar are also in the midst of a contract deal, but the former Barcelona man has said he wants to stay in Paris.
“I don’t think it’s even a topic anymore, I obviously feel very comfortable, at home at PSG,” said Neymar. “I feel happier than before.”
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to its report.