After the defeat of Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup of Clubs, Manuel Neuer expressed frustration over the behaviour of Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Parisian goaltender. Neuer criticized Donnarumma for what he considered a risky and disrespectful attitude towards the opposing players, notably by referring to Jamal Musiala’s injury. He stressed the importance of fair play and would have preferred a more respectful approach from Donnarumma, wishing him to go to the bedside of the injured player. Neuer claimed that he would have reacted differently in such a situation, stressing the need to maintain a sporting attitude despite the competition.

On the Parisian side, Marquinhos, captain of the team, commented on the qualification of his team in the semifinal, focusing on the match against Bayern Munich. He highlighted the impact of a red card received at the end of the match, which could potentially have upset the outcome of the match. However, Marquinhos insisted on the cohesion and determination of his team in the face of adversity. He described a collective unity, a willingness to support each other and an intense concentration that helped overcome the difficulties and effectively defend each other.

Marquinhos insisted on the mental preparation and resilience of the Paris team, despite a busy schedule and a relative lack of rest. He pointed out that the team was not distracted by issues of arbitration or misconduct, but rather focused on concentration, unity and determination to make a difference. He said this collective mentality is the key to their success and allows them to face all the difficulties encountered during the games.