Paris Saint-Germain completed a thrilling comeback win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal round on Wednesday. It was a fixture filled with drama and unexpected moments, including over the final minutes of the game. Marquinhos gave PSG hope with a late game-tying goal, and unexpected hero Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the game-winner minutes later.
Choupo-Moting spoke (via L’Equipe) after the game about his emotions following such a dramatic ending. The forward simply did not give up any hope of completing a comeback in the match.
“I had confidence in myself and in the whole team,” Choupo-Moting said. “We never lost hope of coming back. Personally, I gave everything and I am very happy to experience these emotions. It’s hard to describe how I feel, it’s a very special story.”
Choupo-Moting also reflected on what this win meant to the players. They knew that a loss would bring in outside criticism, but in the end, it all worked out for PSG.
“It’s a special day for PSG, for all players,” Choupo-Moting said. “We have good times together on and off the pitch, all year round. When I got back, I told myself that we couldn’t go back to Paris with such a team. I told myself that anything is possible in life, that every match has its story. I’m very glad it worked like this.”
Choupo-Moting is now a beloved hero at PSG. Neymar showed his appreciation for the forward after the game.
"I think we showed such good morals until the last second."
"The rest is a little history for Paris."
"It's a big step today."
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting reflects on a momentous night for PSG, with a little interruption from Neymar 🤣
🎙 @TheDesKelly | #Club2020 pic.twitter.com/9iGysy9W5q
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 12, 2020
PSG will not have much time to celebrate the win, as its Champions League semifinal fixture is set for next week. Les Parisiens will face the winner from the quarterfinal duel between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig.
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