PSG revive Champions League chances with Neymar penalty
RESENDING WITH SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST WITHOUT FRENCH AND GERMAN TRANSLATIONS. TRANSLATIONS TO FOLLOW
VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCES WITH PARIS ST GERMAIN COACH THOMAS TUCHEL AND RB LEIPZIG COACH JULIAN NAGELSMANN / STILLS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MATCH
SHOWS:
PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS ST. GERMAIN COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING:
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2. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS STILLS VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)
3. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF PARIS ST. GERMAIN'S NEYMAR TAKING PENALTY AND SCORING THE ONLY GOAL OF THE MATCH
4. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF NEYMAR DURING THE MATCH
PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS ST. GERMAIN COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING:
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PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS STILLS VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)
6. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF PARIS ST. GERMAIN'S, KYLIAN MBAPPE, IN ACTION WITH RB LEIPZIG'S, IBRAHIMA KONATE
7. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF NEYMAR FALLING AFTER COLLISION WITH RB LEIPZIG'S, DAYOT UPAMECANO
8. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF PARIS ST. GERMAIN COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SHAKING HANDS WITH MBAPPE
PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
9. RB LEIPZIG COACH, JULIAN NAGELSMANN, ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE
10. (SOUNDBITE) (German) RB LEIPZIG COACH, JULIAN NAGELSMANN, SAYING:
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11. NEWS PROGRESS IN PROGRESS
12. (SOUNDBITE) (German) RB LEIPZIG COACH, JULIAN NAGELSMANN, SAYING:
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13. NAGELSMANN LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS STILLS VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)
14. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF RB LEIPZIG'S, YUSSUF POULSEN, IN ACTION WITH PSG'S MITCHEL BAKKER
15. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF RB LEIPZIG'S, MARCEL SABITZER, IN ACTION WITH MBAPPE
16. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF RB LEIPZIG'S, DANI OLMO, IN ACTION WITH PSG'S ANDER HERRERA AND BAKKER
STORY: Paris St Germain revived their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout phase when an early Neymar penalty earned a fortunate 1-0 home win against RB Leipzig in Group H on Tuesday (November 24).
Neymar scored his first goal in the competition in six games, but PSG were otherwise toothless throughout as they leapfrogged Leipzig into second place.
The French champions have six points from four games, three behind group leaders Manchester United and ahead of third-placed Leipzig thanks to their head-to-head record.
PSG next meet Manchester United at Old Trafford with Leipzig visiting Istanbul Basaksehir, who have three points, on December 2.
Neymar put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute, coolly converting a penalty after Angel Di Maria was brought down by Marcel Sabitzer.
But the Brazilian's bag of tricks was as empty as a spectatorless Parc des Princes and he and Kylian Mbappe, who was equally disappointing, were replaced in added time.
In the 12th minute, Keylor Navas tipped over Dayot Upamecano's header as Leipzig, who beat PSG 2-1 in the previous round of matches, threatened in a low-key opening.
Leipzig, by far the best team on the pitch, had another clear chance in the 38th minute but Navas parried away Amadou Haidara's fierce 18-metre strike.
The visitors continued to apply pressure after the break, with Emil Forsberg's half-volley going just wide of Navas's left-hand post five minutes into the second half.
Neymar and Mbappe, only recently back from injury, were still nowhere to be seen and PSG ended the game with only two shots on target and 40% possession, looking nothing like the team who reached last season's final.
They will need to sharply raise their level if they are to threaten Manchester United, who beat Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1.
On the upside, coach Thomas Tuchel will be relieved that he can again count on Italy midfielder Marco Verratti, who came on in the 83rd minute after a six-week injury layoff.
Leipzig, who said they would be going for all three points, clearly lacked the presence of Timo Werner up front after the Germany striker left for Chelsea last June.
(Production: Clotaire Achi, Kurt Michael Hall)
