Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah expressed pride in his team's resilience despite a 5-4 first-leg Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Speaking to Prime Video after the match in Paris, the centre-back highlighted his side's ability to handle adversity, including what he described as questionable officiating decisions, while maintaining confidence for the return leg.
Tah, 30, was left bewildered by several calls from referee Daniele Orsato's team during the pulsating encounter. "I'm proud of how we dealt with setbacks, including questionable refereeing decisions. I wasn't entirely sure about the penalty; I'll have to watch it again," he said. The Germany international suggested that while some minor fouls went against Bayern, the squad did not allow the incidents to disrupt their focus on the pitch.
Despite the narrow defeat, Tah struck a positive tone regarding Bayern's overall performance against the reigning French champions. He emphasized the intensity of the match and the attacking threat demonstrated by his team. "Yes, it was a very, very intense game. Despite the loss, I think we really showed in many phases today what kind of team we are," Tah stated. He also praised the club's staff for their preparation in the absence of suspended manager Vincent Kompany, noting the effective communication that preceded the fixture.
The former Bayer Leverkusen player, who joined Bayern Munich last summer, now turns his attention to next week's decisive second leg at the Allianz Arena. With the tie finely poised, Tah believes the single-goal deficit is surmountable. "I think you could really see that we can score a lot of goals. And that's why we're going into this second leg at the Allianz Arena with full confidence, giving it our all and aiming for the final," he concluded. His comments underscore a belief within the squad that their offensive capabilities can overturn the result on home soil.
This performance and subsequent reflection come during a solid first season for Tah in Munich, where he has established himself as a key figure in the heart of the defense. His leadership and composure will be critical as Bayern seeks to overturn the first-leg deficit and advance to the Champions League final at Wembley. The result leaves all possibilities open for a dramatic conclusion to the semi-final tie next Tuesday.
