soccer

Wayne Rooney criticises defending in ‘crazy’ and ‘chaotic’ European clash between PSG and Bayern Munich

Yahoo Sports

The former European Cup winner branded the defending from both sides ‘immature’ at the Parc des Princes

Former Champions League winners Wayne Rooney and Clarence Seedorf have criticised the defending during PSG ’s enthralling 5-4 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final first leg, arguing that neither side will be happy despite taking part in a European game for the ages. The holders edged out the German champions after a superb contest in Paris, with PSG taking a slender one-goal lead into next week’s second leg at the Allianz Arena. But it could have been even better for the Parisians, who were 5-2 up in the 58th minute before conceding twice in three minutes to give allow Bayern back into the tie.

And despite plenty of attacking quality being on show at the Parc des Princes as a record-equalling nine goals were scored in a European Cup semi-final tie, Rooney and Seedorf opted to focus on the defending, with the former saying that “there have got to be questions asked” of both sides. Bayern players looked disappointed despite dragging themselves back into the tie (Getty) “Both teams have got so much quality at the top end of the pitch that they probably forgot to defend a little bit,” said the former Man Utd striker on Amazon Prime at full-time. “It was crazy, it was chaotic and we saw some great goals.

[But] I just don’t see how, if you’re a player or a coach – no matter if you’ve won the game – how you can go into that dressing room after conceding four or five goals and be happy,” explained Rooney. “There’s got to be questions asked, the defenders asking questions of the forwards, why they’re not helping them defend,” he added. “Some of the goals we’ve seen, at this level, we’ve seen some immature defending.

“I had some of my toughest games against [Bayern manager] Vincent Kompany . He was horrible to play against. When you watch that defending there was no communication.