Neymar steps up, Tuchel gets it right with PSG

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Fans boo and jeer Schalke into last 16

PARIS, Nov 29, (AFP): Paris Saint-Germain had been waiting for such a performance from Neymar, and the Brazilian more than delivered in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Liverpool.

The world’s most expensive player scored what proved to be the winning goal as PSG beat last season’s runners-up 2-1 to step back from the brink of an unthinkable group-stage exit.

His 14th goal of the season came at the end of a move he had initiated with his blinding pace. Neymar celebrated by performing a dance by the corner flag with Kylian Mbappe and posing for the cameras.

But Neymar’s evening was about so much more than that.

Shortly after Juan Bernat’s opening goal, Neymar rushed across to the touchline in front of the dugout to make a challenge and then waved his arms in a frenzy to whip up the crowd.

He spent much of the second half running his socks off to help PSG defend their lead, and he also upset Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for being supposedly “clever” in winning fouls and buying time.

“For us it was all or nothing. We suffered quite a bit but we are relieved that we won, played well and showed the strength of our squad,” Neymar said.

“We need to celebrate that. After the game we were shouting, jumping around, dancing, so we are happy.” PSG could have been eliminated with a defeat, but are now above Liverpool in Group C and head to Red Star Belgrade in their final game in a fortnight with qualification for the last 16 in their hands.

It was a big night personally for Neymar, in PSG’s most important Champions League game since the last 16, second leg against Real Madrid last season, which the Brazilian missed due to injury.

This was probably the French club’s most significant result in the competition since they beat Barcelona 4-0 in the last 16 two seasons ago. Neymar was far from the only man responsible.

There were big performances throughout, with Marco Verratti impressive in midfield, even if he was lucky not to be sent off for a dangerous tackle on Joe Gomez in the first half.

Thiago Silva towered over everyone in central defense, the 34-year-old Brazilian living up to his nickname of “The Monster” by helping shut out Liverpool’s front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Yet it was telling that Silva was so keen to praise his coach at the end of the game, as he described Thomas Tuchel as “fantastic”.

The German has won all 14 games in Ligue 1 this season since being appointed, but he desperately needed a signature European performance.

Tuchel made some big decisions, none more so than selecting defender Marquinhos in midfield rather than Adrien Rabiot.

Marquinhos was particularly impressive, playing in a holding midfield role without the ball and dropping into a three-man defense in possession.

Tuchel therefore won the tactical battle against his compatriot Klopp and crucially seems to have won over his players.

“The attitude was extraordinary. I am very proud that all the supporters in the ground saw the efforts of a team,” said Tuchel.

The question now is whether this result can act as a trigger for PSG to go on to the latter stages of the competition.

“I hope so. It is very important to go through this experience together to create a special atmosphere for the weeks ahead,” Tuchel added.

Schalke have reached the last 16 of the Champions League, but their progress to the knock-out stages did not stop travelling fans booing their team’s dismal 3-1 defeat at Porto.

German fans celebrated before kick-off in the Portuguese city on Wednesday when Lokomotiv Moscow’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray meant both Schalke and Porto were through to the last 16 from Group D.

However, the mood soured after Schalke were well beaten by Porto as the Germans only had a late Nabil Bentaleb penalty to show and their fans voiced their disappointment over a dismal away display.

“It’s hard for us when the fans are upset, but we need to understand their reasons,” said defensive midfielder Omar Mascarell.

Schalke were floored as Porto netted two second-half goals in quick succession, as Brazilian defender Eder Militao struck in the 52nd minute and Jesus Corona three minutes later. Moussa Marega hit a third late for the hosts in added time.

The German fans whistled and booed their team off the pitch and sports director Christian Heidel was surprised given their passage into the last 16.

“You always have the right to express resentment, but we have qualified for the last 16 – I just don’t get it,” he said.

The mood of the disgruntled fans was made worse as the team did not acknowledge the travelling support after the final whistle.

“They came a long way to get here,” said midfielder Alessandro Schoepf.

“One could have gone to thank them in the stands, that is all about respect.” Schalke’s injury-hit attack failed to manage a single shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes while Porto ripped the Royal Blues defense apart after the break.

Only good saves by Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann kept the visitors in the game.

However, Schalke deserve some sympathy in the face of a crippling injury list with five forwards injured.

Guido Burgstaller was missing in Porto with an Achilles tendon problem, then right winger Steven Skrzybski had to be replaced at half-time with a shoulder injury while Mark Uth, Breel Embolo and Cedric Teuchert are all sidelined long term.

“I have never heard of a Bundesliga team having five forwards injured at the same time,” grumbled Heidel, who hopes to have Burgstaller and Skrzybski back from injury before Saturday’s away match at Hoffenheim.

Schalke have lost only one of their five games so far in Europe, but are just four points clear of the bottom three in the Bundesliga after seven defeats in 12 games.

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