Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar said he did not want to deliberately celebrate for Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich after PSG moved up after away goals and entered the Champions League semi-finals.
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The draw, which ended 3-3 in total, was a rematch of last season’s Champions League final, which Bayern won 1-0. Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Bayern’s Kimmich and Thomas Muller said they were confident that the German champions would continue at the Parc des Princes.
But it was PSG who moved up, with Neymar partying with teammate Leandro Paredes for an exasperated Kimmich when the referee whistled full-time.
“It’s funny because I didn’t even party to mess with him, it was more with Leo and I ended up celebrating with him. [Kimmich], ‘Said Neymar 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 at half time throughout the match, with Neymar hitting the woodwork twice, but it wasn’t enough for them to progress.
However, that didn’t stop Bayern coach Hansi Flick from saying his side deserved more to move on.
“I think we were the better team in both games,” said Flick, who had to do without injured striker Robert Lewandowski in both games. “We were unlucky, we missed some players, but we have to accept it.”
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino responded to Flick, saying the German players’ comments before the game were fair.
“It’s normal for them to be confident, it’s a team that won everything and they thought they were the favorites,” said Pochettino.
“Football is such a beautiful game, but it’s also a game where you never give up and you have to fight. But I can understand why they said they were confident, it’s normal to play mind games,” he added.
Neymar praised his teammates, but did not say that PSG are now the favorites. They will take on Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final.
“The message we had to send out was given last season. When we reached the final, we played a great game against Bayern, which was the best team last year. I didn’t see it that way this year,” said Neymar. “During the draw, I told my teammates that we were going to compete against Bayern, and it happened.
“I told them to be calm, that we were prepared. We had to show this to ourselves, that we can do it. It was a great game, even though we were beaten, we played better.”
The club and Neymar are also in the middle of a contract negotiation, but the ex-Barcelona man said he wants to stay in Paris.
“I don’t even think this is a topic anymore, I feel very comfortable at home at PSG of course,” said Neymar. “I feel happier than before.”
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to his report.