After the Champions League defeat
In the arms of Alaba: Neymar showed his grief to the whole world
David Alaba (left) holds Neymar in his arms for minutes after the defeat in Lisbon
© Miguel A. Lopes / AFP
One suffered particularly. Neymar put the defeat against FC Bayern hard – and he showed that with tears on his face to the whole world. David Alaba’s consolation didn’t help either.
Neymar was crying and no one could comfort him. Even the long hug from David Alaba, who wanted to comfort the superstar after the final whistle, hardly helped. Neymar was devastated. “I fought the good fight, I completed the run, I kept my faith,” wrote the Brazilian on Instagram on Monday night. With a photo, hand in front of tearful eyes, head bowed. The dream of the Champions League title, destroyed by FC Bayern Munich, who won the final on Sunday evening in Lisbon 1-0 (0-0).
“Inconsolable”, wrote the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” on Monday in large letters over a cover picture with Neymar and commented on “Bonjour Tristesse”. Neymar is the tearful face of defeat. In 2015 he was last able to hold the pot for the Champions League winner in his hands at FC Barcelona. This time there was nothing more than a short patting full of longing at the “missed historical rendezvous of PSG” (“Le Monde”).
Manuel Neuer became a nightmare for Neymar
The publicly displayed mourning did not provide the only images of the Brazilian that stuck in the memory. Likewise, the scene from the 18th minute of the game will probably give Neymar a few nightmares. It was the moment that perhaps best illustrated why Bayern left the field as winners and PSG as losers. Neymar failed with a huge chance on the outstanding Manuel Neuer, and the attempt to play the ball again was parried by the Bayern keeper. The message was: Today the Neymar won’t win a flower pot. During the entire game, the Brazilian was rarely able to show his class, also because he was consistently attacked by his opponents.
“Losing is the worst feeling,” admitted coach Thomas. “Maybe we were a little lacking in luck.” Nevertheless, the coach immediately tried to look into the future: “We will have talks now, not about my extension, but talks about how we have to rebuild and strengthen the team again,” explained Tuchel: “Because we need new energy , we need new quality in order to maintain our level and to clearly show everyone the perspective that we will not slacken, that we will continue to move forward and that what we have built is only the beginning and not the climax . ”
Neymar probably didn’t care about such thoughts at the moment of the defeat. After receiving his medal, he touched the large handle pot as he passed. He will have to wait at least another year before he gets the next chance for the big triumph.
With material from the DPA
