The Bavarians were superior, but the Parisians were on the verge of drawing after the entry of Mbappé, who they canceled out two goals in the second half
The strength of the collective Bayern Munich prevailed over the stellar individualities of the Paris Saint-Germain. The Bavarian team won on points, and not by KO, the first round of the knockout round of the Champions League against the Parisian team, which ended 0-1 on Tuesday night.
This first leg in Paris was less spectacular than expected, although it was a good presentation of this duel between two greats in Europe and of its qualities and defects: the high tactical level of a Bayern who lacks some gunpowder up top, even more so with Sadio Mané’s injury, while PSG missed for a good part of the match Mbappewhat started as substitute due to his injury earlier in the month.
Present subjunctive: third person plural of the verb to eat. #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/P1PsxBRTVo
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The French and German teams took to the pitch at the Parque de los Príncipes with great respect for their rival. It was noticeable that it is one of the star playoffs of these eighths of the Champions League. With an offensive 3-4-3, Bayern came out to suffocate their opponent with intense pressure. PSG was waiting for him at the back and tried to surprise him on the counter thanks to the talent of Messi and Neymar, although the Argentine star and the Brazilian were not too in tune. Christophe Galtier, coach of the Qatar-owned team, made up for Mbappé’s absence in the eleven by accumulating a fourth midfielder. He assumed this role young promise Warren Zaire-Emery —write down this name—, only 16 years old.
Given the conservative approach of the Parisians, the Bavarians were advancing their pawns. The occasions followed one another in favor of Bayern. A header from the Cameroonian Choupo-Moting into the side of the net, a dangerous shot from the edge of Kimmich, another from Coman… The statistics at the end of the first half were unquestionable: 10 shots from Bayern and only one from PSG. But football is not won with numbers, but with goals. And this one resisted the Germans… Until the 53rd minute.
The executioner Eat
Kingsley Coman he put the Germans ahead less than ten minutes after passing through the changing rooms. The French winger finished off first a cross from Canadian Alphonso Davies, who had entered the break to give Julian Nagelsmann’s team one more gear. After having been decisive in the 2020 Champions League final that also pitted Bayern against PSG, Coman once again made a difference against the team in which he was formed and that failed to take advantage of his talent.
Despite this hard blow, the Parisian team still had its best bullet in the chamber. Galtier did not delay and took Mbappé out a few minutes after seeing himself at a loss on the scoreboard. It was evident that with only Messi and Neymar at the top it was not enough for him. The former Barça captain and the Brazilian striker are not going through their best form. It is as if they had not yet returned from the World Cup in Qatar. All Parisian hopes were pinned on Bondy’s goalscorer.
Although he spurred on the fans in Paris, Mbappé’s entry did not alter Bayern’s footballing superiority. The Germans were not only better planted on the pitch and threatened to score the second, but also had a solid defense with De Ligt and the French Upamecano and Pavard, who was sent off for a double yellow card in discount.
Mbappé’s goal is not worth it. Offside. #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/QkBHgXmllj
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But against a team that has the stuck from a trident Messi, Neymar and above all Mbappé, there is no tactical superiority worth it. Thanks to his devilish speed, the French forward managed at 73 ‘to stay face to face with the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer —a great Bayern signing to replace the injured Neuer— who saved his first shot. In the end he would score, but offside. A similar script would be repeated ten minutes later with another goal by Mbappé annulled, this time for offside by the Portuguese Nuno Mendes at the start of the play.
After being on the ropes for most of the match, PSG woke up in the last twenty minutes. The occasions followed one another in their favour, but without the success to equalize the score. And Bayern took the first round of a tie that promises a high-carat outcome on March 8 in munich.
The profile of Paris SG – Bayern Munich (0-1)
PARIS SG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Nuno Mendes, Pereira, Verratti, Zaïre-Emery, Carlos Soler, Neymar y Messi.
Changes: Kimpembe by Hakimi (m. 46); Mbappé by Carlos Soler (m. 57); Fabian Ruiz by Zaire-Emery (m. 57); Vitinha by Pereira (m. 75);
Trainer: Christophe Galtier.
BAYERN MUNICH: Sommer, Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Joao Cancelo, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sané, Musiala, Coman y Choupo-Moting.
Changes: Davies for Joan Cancelo (m. 46); Gnabry by Coman (d. 75); Müller for Choupo Moting (d. 75); Gravenberch by Musiala (d. 87); Stanisic for Sané (d. 90)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
GOL: 0-1, Coman (m. 53);
REFEREE: Michael Oliver (English)
YELLOW CARDS: Pavard (m. 26 and m. 90+2); White (m. 70); Neymar (86 years old).
RED CARD: Pavard (m. 90+2)
ESTADIO: Princes Park