PSG super-sub Choupo-Moting’s simple message after Champions League comeback: 'We can't go home like that'

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Joe Krishnan12 August 2020

Eric Choupo-Moting has revealed how he motivated himself to score the winning goal to send Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 win over Atalanta.

The Serie A outfit had taken the lead through Mario Pasalic's fine strike in the first half, and looked to be on course for the semi-finals heading into the final minute of normal time in Libson.

But after Marquinhos had levelled for the French giants, Choupo-Moting - on as a substitute with 10 minutes to go - tapped home the winner from Kylian Mbappe's cross in stoppage time to cap an extraordinary finale at the Estadio da Luz.

Despite PSG's array of attacking talent, it was the Cameroonian - who almost departed the club before penning a contract extension, and was left out of PSG's Champions League squad earlier this year - who proved to be the hero on the night.

And the former Stoke striker revealed his own words of motivation inspired him after being sent on by coach Thomas Tuchel in the final stages.

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"When I came on I thought to myself 'we can't lose, we can't go home like that'," he told beIN Sports.

"I was confident in myself, confident in the team and the rest is the history of Paris Saint-Germain.

"It was a tough game, tough opponent and I think we showed until the last second we believed in us. We had some good chances - I think Ney had a great game, unbelievable - but unfortunately had some moments when he didn't score.

"We're enjoying good moments on and off the pitch together. We won four titles this season but the most important is this one. Everyone knows we have good individual quality but we wanted to show we are a team.

"They were a great opponent, respect to Atalanta and I'm very happy we could go through."

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