FFor Atalanta Bergamo, the Lisbon drama was like a stab in the heart. “A broken dream! Atalanta has to capitulate a tiny step before victory, “wrote the” Gazzetta dello Sport “after the Italians’ 2-1 draw in the exciting Champions League quarter-final against Paris St. Germain, but:” Atalanta has proven to play at the highest level can.”
The “fall from Olympus football”, which had not even been reached, hurt tremendously. The “Corriere dello Sport” compared the game in its course with the late conceded goals even with the traumatic 1: 2 by Bayern Munich against Manchester United in the Champions League final in 1999. “Football can be incredibly cruel”, commented “Tuttosport”.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini kept his composure despite all the disappointment. “It’s a shame, we were so close to winning,” he said. “We really believed in it. There were a few small things, a few moments, a few situations, things that decide who gets ahead – and who doesn’t. But I can only thank my players. “
Brazil’s soccer star Neymar was completely enthusiastic after the “dramatic turnaround”. “That was a game for the trophy cabinet,” said the 28-year-old professional after the 2-1 win in Paris at the start of the Champions League final against Bergamo. In the almost deserted Estádio da Luz, the French had won the match after 0: 1 deficit until the final minute.
“This is among the three biggest games of my career that we shot. I like such crucial games. The only thing missing was the fans, a full stadium, so the emotions would be even greater, ”said Neymar. “That was a great night.” Marquinhos (90th) and the former undesliga player Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (90th + 3) had turned the game for coach Thomas Tuchel’s team. In Neymar’s native Brazil, the superstar’s preparatory work on both goals was shown to be decisive in the game.
“PSG reached the semifinals for the first time in 25 years with a decisive Neymar,” said “Globoesporte”. “PSG creates a dramatic turnaround – Neymar redeems Paris”, was the headline of “UOL”. Or: “Neymar, from nightmare to dream in three minutes”. PSG will now face Atlético Madrid or RB Leipzig in the semi-finals on August 18, who will play against each other this Thursday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League, on Sky and DAZN).
“I have in mind that we will reach the final. Nobody will talk me out of the fact that we will play for the title, ”said Neymar. “We have taken a step, we will take another one that will be very difficult, but we will join forces to play another great game,” said the superstar after the football drama.
.
