It is 12.40 a.m. and Thiago Silva is the very first Paris Saint-Germain player to leave the bus at the Myriad hotel in Lisbon city centre, for the last time. Unlike in his dreams, though, the captain is not holding the Champions League trophy. Rather, he passes to the entrance of the hotel, mask on his face, AirPods in his ears, white plastic bag with his match shirt in his hand … and he seems to bring the weight of the world on his shoulders. After 8 years, Silva has played his last game for the club. He will entrust fantastic memories however without the Holy Grail.
The remainder of the team and the technical staff follow him, like a funeral march. Thomas Tuchel with his crutches is there, in the middle of the pack. Outdoors, the fans who showed up to invite their beaten heroes are singing “thank you, Paris, thank you.” It is little convenience for the Parisians after they lost a cruel final. Hardly any of them acknowledge the advocates. Neymar does. He is the last gamer to get off the coach and he provides a wave.
2 RelatedInside the Myriad, a late supper is ready but the majority of gamers go directly to their rooms. Ever considering that referee Daniele Orsato blew the last whistle, signalling a 1-0 win for Bayern Munich, the key minutes have actually been replayed in their heads over and over. Could they have protected much better for Kingsley Comans winning objective?
In the changing space after the final whistle, the soothing words of coach Tuchel, sporting director Leonardo or president Nasser al-Khelaifi, who informed the gamers after the game that they were proud of them, were little alleviation. Both tried to comfort a heartbroken gamer. Far in Neymars career, huge finals had been his strength, particularly in winning the Copa Libertadores (2011 ), Champions League (2015) and Olympic Games (2016 ).
Neymar was left in tears at the end of the Champions League last. Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA by means of Getty ImagesPSG had big possibilities to make this final their own. They had to be incredibly scientific. Instead, they were delegated rue missed out on opportunities. What maybe harms most is that it was their two super stars, their two princes, who misfired. First Neymar, then Mbappe, one early and the other one late in the first half. They might have ended up being kings of Europe right there. Manuel Neuer was a colossus in the Bayern objective.
A EUR60 million gamer sat on the bench. The big difference was that in this game, PSG actually needed him. If the coachs tactical method was reliable for the very first hour, his choices after Bayern scored were questionable.
Formally, the line is that he will be on the PSG bench next season (or should we state this season, thinking about the 2020-21 Ligue 1 project having kicked off on Friday night?). It would be harsh, considering he has just taken PSG to a very first Champions League last in the clubs history and after winning the domestic treble.
play1:24.
There are a lot of positives to take from this amazing 2019-20 season, even if they appear up until now away today. This team lastly is a group. PSG took a Bayern side that thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in the semifinals right to the wire. They have showed excellent togetherness and with some additions to the group, they can come back stronger. When the very best gamer for the opposition is their goalkeeper, the efficiency of your own group has to come with terrific credit.
When Thomas Meunier agreed to sign up with Borussia Dortmund on a totally free transfer, he also chose out of the Champions League mini-tournament. With Silva now departed, PSG require a top-class centre-back to replace him. Even if Marquinhos drops back into defence, that leaves a gaping hole in defensive midfield.
More essential is that Mbappe and Neymar stay at the club. That PSG are on the ideal course may assist encourage the two forwards to sign.
Tuchel and his players will have to overcome their Lisbon hangover quickly and switch their focus to the league. Champions League finalist or not, no one will offer them a pass locally.
For now, this will be seen a substantial missed out on opportunity, however PSG needs to hope that it is the very first of lots of and not just an isolated moment.
It is 12.40 a.m. and Thiago Silva is the first Paris Saint-Germain gamer to get off the bus at the Myriad hotel in Lisbon city centre, for the last time. Unlike in his dreams, however, the captain is not holding the Champions League trophy. Far in Neymars profession, huge finals had been his specialty, especially in winning the Copa Libertadores (2011 ), Champions League (2015) and Olympic Games (2016 ). It would be harsh, considering he has just taken PSG to a first Champions League final in the clubs history and after winning the domestic treble. Tuchel and his gamers will have to conquer their Lisbon hangover quickly and change their focus to the league.
Craig Burley and Frank Leboeuf respond after Bayern Munich win the Champions League final versus PSG.
