PSG's Galtier rues early missed chances in Bayern defeat

Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry scores their second goal in Champions League's Bayern Munich v Paris St Germain match. Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Germany: Paris St Germain blamed themselves for missing early chances as they lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich on Wednesday and crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16.

Coach Christophe Galtier's star-studded team that includes striker Kylian Mbappe and world champion Lionel Messi failed to score against Bayern over two legs, losing 3-0 on aggregate and seeing their hopes of clinching Europe's top club trophy disappear for another year.

"It's a big disappointment," Galtier said. "We have to deal with it and accept it. There's a lot of disappointment in the dressing room."

"I don't know if it's a lesson to be learned, but there's a lot of frustration. If we'd scored first, it would have been different, but we didn't."

PSG made a strong start and France forward Mbappe had an early opportunity before Messi went close with a double chance of his own in the 25th minute.

"We didn't open the scoring when we had the chance. We did well in the first half, we felt we could match our opponents, but we didn't put away our chances," said Galtier.

Instead it was Bayern who opened the scoring when Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting tapped-in in the 61st minute before a late second goal from Serge Gnabry sealed their win. "We conceded what was a really stupid first goal at this level. Yes, there was pressure from Bayern, but sometimes you mustn't be ashamed to play it long to get over the pressing," Galtier said.

"When you're behind after an hour's play, it's difficult."

His team's latest European failure -- their fifth last-16 exit in seven years -- adds pressure on Galtier, who refused to speculate on his future at the club.

"It's a big disappointment but we have to swallow it. It is too soon to talk about my future. I'm focused to the end of the season with a lot of energy and determination."

Steely Milan edge Tottenham to reach quarters

Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison in action with AC Milan's Sandro Tonali and Fikayo Tomori in Champions League's Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan match on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs

Seven-time winners AC Milan reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 11 years as a disciplined display earned them a drab 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and a 1-0 aggregate victory.

On a freezing night in north London the Italians comfortably protected the slender advantage they established in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro as Tottenham huffed and puffed to little effect and exited with a whimper.

Tottenham failed to muster an attempt on target in the first half as their frustration boiled over with manager Antonio Conte booked for letting his emotions get the better of him while they had defender Cristian Romero sent off late on. Milan could have made it a more comfortable night had they taken any of the good chances they created but in the end a masterclass of game management saw them through.

While Stefano Pioli's Milan can look forward with optimism, Tottenham's season is fizzling out after a dismal week in which they also lost in the FA Cup to second-tier Sheffield United and to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

Milan may be some way off returning to their European pomp but while they lack the household names of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Pioli's team had too much craft for a meek Tottenham side who were booed at the final whistle.

"We knew it would be tough, but we managed. I asked the players to show character. We never gave up, and we deserved to progress," Pioli said. "We made it to the quarters, now let's see what happens in the draw."

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