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Thomas Tuchel almost CHOKES on drink at Neymar Instagram rant after PSG loss to Man Utd
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Thomas Tuchel almost choked on his energy drink when informed of Neymar’s Instagram post criticising match officials after PSG crashed out the Champions League at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday night.
PSG: Thomas Tuchel reacts to Neymar’s Instagram rant
Manchester United became the first side in the competition’s history to overturn a 2-0 home loss in the knockout stages, and they did it in spectacular fashion.
After a first-half Romelu Lukaku brace was interrupted with Juan Bernat’s goal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were pressing for a third as stoppage time loomed.
In the 90th minute, Diogo Dalot hit a wayward strike from outside the area, which deflected off Presnel Kimpembe and went out for a corner, before VAR intervened and showed the PSG defender had his arm out in an unnatural position, although his back was turned.
Referee Damir Skomina carefully analysed the footage pitchside before pointing to the spot, from which Marcus Rashford emphatically converted with requisite composure.
Neymar, who is sidelined with a metatarsal injury, was watching proceedings unfold on the touchline, and took to Instagram after the game to vehemently vent his frustration at the decision.
“This is a disgrace, they put four people that know nothing about football in charge of looking at the replay for VAR,” Neymar wrote on his Instagram story, slamming the officials who suggested to Skomina he should reconsider his initial corner decision.
"There is no penalty. How can it be a handball when it hits his back! Go f**k yourselves!"
Amid the devastating drama, Tuchel struck a calm tone in his post-match press conference, and almost choked on his energy drink in laughter when informed of his injured talisman’s rant.
Sometimes you use words and you react in a way that you take back some hours later
As an English journalist began to read out Neymar’s words, Tuchel grabbed a nearby bottle, took a sip and wryly smiled.
Upon a second sip, he had to refrain from taking a full-hearted gulp so he did not choke on the drink.
The German then grimaced as Neymar’s profanities were announced, before saying: “Of course it’s a strong reaction, he was at the field and you can only see…
“Sometimes when you remember yourself in a big, big fight and being very emotional, sometimes you use words and you react in a way that you take back some hours later.
"Sometimes when you remember yourself in a big, big fight and you remember being very emotional you use words and you react in a way that you take back some hours later.
"You see how emotional he is and how he lives with us and how badly he wanted to help us and Ney, coming back - latest in the quarter-finals - and coming today and biting his nails for every game we play without him. So don't be too harsh on him.
"It's, like I said, hard to accept for all of us who could not play and could do nothing.
I would not over-interpret the use of his words in the heat of the challenge and the moment of the decision. It's quickly typed into a smartphone."