PSG’s Pochettino, Neymar ‘very happy’ to eliminate Bayern, Flick, Neuer frustrated

PARIS Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino gave his players credit and expressed his joy after they survived pressure from Bayern Munich to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday night.

Champions Bayern Munich won the second leg of the quarter-final tie 1-0 on the night in Paris, but PSG won the first leg 3-2 in Munich last week, and the French side advanced on the away goals rule after aggregate score ended 3-3.

PSG had several chances to score but they could not convert them before and after Eric Choupo-Moting netted the game’s only goal in the 40th minute.

The French club, who lost last year’s final to Bayern, had to cling on in the end, and Pochettino could not hide his happiness.

“We were very focused,” the Argentinian, who led Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final in 2019, told reporters.

“It was a really tough match – I’m really happy because the players deserve big credit. 

“To win and qualify for the semi-finals is an amazing moment for us.”

Neymar, who was bright and lively but missed very good scoring opportunities,  said: “I’m very happy. We played a great team and we’re a great team. 

“We’ve eliminated the champions of Europe, we’re in the semi-finals and we’ll have to work even more. We’re a real team and we have to congratulate everyone.”

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes his side paid for their sloppy defending and missed chances in the first leg.

“We weren’t eliminated tonight – the result in Munich needed to be better,” the German international noted.

“That was frustrating because we missed so many chances. We’re on our last legs. It’s tough against such a top side but the players gave everything.”

Bayern manager Hansi Flick added: “You saw how dangerous they are in attack. I have to pay huge compliments to my team, even though Paris progressed. 

“As a fair loser, I would like to congratulate them. Normally, my team has so much quality in the final third but today they were lacking that final punch.”