Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer: 'Lack of killer instinct cost us Champions League final place'
Captain Manuel Neuer lamented Bayern Munich’s lack of a “killer instinct” as the 2025/26 Bundesliga champions missed out on the UEFA Champions League final after a 1-1 semi-final second leg draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Trailing 5-4 following the breathtaking first leg in Paris last week, Bayern's hopes were dented early as former Borussia Dortmund man Ousmane Dembélé gave the visitors a two-goal aggregate cushion just three minutes in.
Both teams carved out chances to add to the scoreline, but Bayern did not do so until during a frantic late spell at the end of the game through Harry Kane, who scored his 55th competitive goal of the season four minutes into added time. It was too little too late for the Bavarian giants.
“We didn’t have that killer instinct in attack tonight. We may not have had that many clear-cut chances, but we certainly had the opportunity to win the match. We were close to the final but couldn’t get over the line,” said Neuer, who made a number of sharp saves to keep Bayern in the tie.
“If we’d had a key moment and scored the goal, it’s a different story. Unfortunately our goal came a bit too late. The stadium was on it, we were on it, but we weren’t sharp enough in their box. Both teams play very high intensity, there could’ve been two or three more goals. We tried to get towards goal with good pressing and transitions. Of course, the overriding feeling at this moment is disappointment, but we still have a final and we’re looking forward to Berlin.”
The DFB Cup final against Stuttgart on 23 May may afford the record German champions some comfort for their European exit, which was Bayern’s 11th in 22 semi-finals in the continent’s leading club competition.
“It’s obviously tough to take, we lost narrowly. We matched PSG, these games are decided by small details. Our first half was good, I felt that we were the better team and often got into the areas where we’re dangerous, but PSG defended the crosses very well. They were very active. Although we got into dangerous situations, they made sure we didn’t get the final shot off. The basis is always the energy, which the team showed again,” said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.
“Sadly we’re not in the final. We have to acknowledge that we played against great opponents. The Champions League is over for us for now, but there’ll be more moments, more opportunities and that’s also great motivation for me. The level of both teams was very, very high. PSG have so much quality, they’ve probably been the best team in Europe in the last two years. We’ve played against them five times now – we’ve won twice, lost twice and drawn once. We tried everything, I have to say. Congratulations to PSG, but we’ll try again.”
“Looking at the two legs, I think we could’ve gone through,” said Joshua Kimmich. “It’s not like we were the worse team over two legs. But we came up short in some things and it’s ultimately a big disappointment. I think we’ve lost three times this season. That shows that we’re consistently playing at a good level. I don’t think this will knock us down or distract us in any way. I at least was in the changing room feeling we can win the Champions League with this team.”
Bayern did not look far from at least progressing to this year’s final in Budapest, Hungary, as they camped inside PSG’s half, enjoying 62% possession. Before Kane’s late strike, Jamal Musiala brought the best saves from PSG ‘keeper Matvei Safonov and Michael Olise flashed a shot just over the bar while the Bayern fans did their utmost to keep pushing their team at the Allianz Arena.
“Both matches were very tight. They were different matches but in the end they prevailed,” said Bayern centre-back Jonathan Tah, who headed narrowly wide in the first half. “Paris got the early goal and then defended well. If we’d scored our goal a bit earlier, we would’ve been in a better position. Unfortunately, though, we didn’t have that many chances. It’s obviously hugely disappointing but you have to deal with different situations to be successful. I think we can be proud of the way we’ve played.”
“It’s tough to go out in a game like that,” added Konrad Laimer. “At this level it comes down to little details, decisions and moments. I always had the feeling we could turn it around. In the end, we didn’t win today and that hurts, of course. We had enough moments but the end product to create the clear-cut chances was always lacking. That said, we had plenty of actions in the penalty area and attempts, but we maybe weren’t as good in our finishing as we can be. Fine margins decide these matches. It felt like we were dominant – the goal came too late in the end. We’re knocked out and it hurts.”
