Shell-shocked Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti revealed
Barcelona players told him the match was over before the Spaniards
produced the greatest comeback in Champions League history.
Read more after the cut.....
Leading 4-0 prior to Wednesday's return leg in the last 16, PSG
suffered a humiliating defeat as they were eliminated 6-5 on aggregate
following a 6-1 loss at Camp Nou.
Despite trailing 3-1 on the night after Edinson Cavani's 62nd-minute
volley, PSG were still in the box seat to advance to the quarter-finals
thanks to the priceless away goal, with Barca needing three goals to
overhaul the French champions.
But PSG were forced to watch on helplessly as Barca scored three
unanswered goals from the 88th minute
Sergi Roberto netting the
95th-minute winner - and Verratti said the Spaniards thought they were
headed for the exit door before their staggering fightback.
"With Cavani's goal, we gained some peace," Verratti said via
L'Equipe. "I then spoke to the players of the Barca, they told me that
it was finished.
"Take three goals in seven minutes, I cannot find an explanation, it's football.
"This is a game I will never forget. I hope it will serve as a lesson to everyone."
Verratti continued: "The qualification of Barca is deserved. It was
difficult to play, to make passes. They pressed too much in the first
period. In the second, we got to play better.
"Now we're going to have a hard time. There will be others.
"We must find the strength to raise our heads. You have to be men. We
are all sad. We lost 6-1, it's not because of the referee. We are
primarily responsible."
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