DESCRIBED – Beyond the final result, find out what caught our journalist’s attention on Tuesday, in Munich, during Bayern-PSG.
FAVORITE
Ramos, the return
This is the only real positive note of the evening in Paris, the return of Gonçalo Ramos. Unavailable since 16 August due to an ankle injury, the Portuguese striker came on in the second half against Bayern (1-0 defeat). “Obviously it’s a great feeling to be back on the pitch. I feel good. Unfortunately we lost, but it’s nice to be back and I’m ready to help the team in the next games“, he said after the match, visibly confident in his physique. “I’m ready, I’m here, I can play every game“, he says. The former Benfica player has yet to prove that he is part of the lineage of great strikers at European level, but in terms of profile his presence can only be a good thing. Especially since Randal Kolo Muani, not used on Tuesday, is in the cellar.
The Allianz Arena, a beautiful instrument
The Parisian leaders must have been drooling with envy all evening. While they dream of a brand new stadium, they were able to appreciate the quality of Bayern Munich’s instrument, as functional as it is elegant. A modern stadium that has all the advantages. Monaco fans also shouted it on Tuesday evening. However, we would like to point out that the Parisian fans, as usual, made their voices heard throughout the match. They were on level.
CLAWS STRIKES
The mystery is not solved. Will it be one day? Of course, Gigio Donnarumma doesn’t give all the guarantees. We know his qualities in play but his weaknesses on… everything else. Even at the cost of putting him in competition, or even downgrading him, we would have understood that PSG is securing a goalkeeper suited to Luis Enrique’s game, good with his feet, capable of playing away from goal. The capital club instead signed Matfey Safonov, a goalkeeper who has more or less the same profile as his Italian rival. For that? The Russian shone on his line on Tuesday. He also got his feet wet and above all conceded a goal from a corner. Doesn’t it remind you of anyone? It cost 20 million euros.
PSG certainly didn’t face just anyone. After the Barcelona debacle (4-1 defeat), Bayern changed gear in defense. Seventh match without conceding a goal for Vincent Kompany’s boys. However, this is not the first occasion to note that the offensive power of the 2024-25 Paris-SG is limited. However, as usual, there are many opportunities but little efficiency. Not even at the Allianz Arena… There are Luis Enrique’s tactical choices, but also and above all the (lack of) talent of the attackers. Ousmane Dembélé, we know, as brilliant in creation as he is clumsy in finishing. Ligue 1’s top scorer Bradley Barcola finds himself up against a glass ceiling in the European Cup. Neither of them can claim to replace Kylian Mbappé, that’s quite clear. None other than the expensive strikers Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani. Light, very light.
It’s hard to follow. And it’s hard to believe that his players are fully succeeding. Luis Enrique surprised again on Tuesday. A new composition, with four players as midfielders at kick-off. Obviously no center forward. Wide wings, density at the heart of the game, desire to press high. Movement, permutations, players everywhere and nowhere. Except that, due to his constant inventiveness, it seems more like flirtation than anything else. And
Yes, Parisians fight, spare no effort and want to play together. It’s still the minimum you could say, but they are values that have disappeared in recent years at PSG… In short, the collective, the fight, the matches. But this Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t convey much, apart from this unpleasant feeling of helplessness. Flat encephalogram. It is a little (a lot?) the result of the Luis Enrique method, in which the players are pawns at the service of the coach’s plan. A soulless mechanism. And to no avail.
Luis Enrique isn’t in the habit of throwing his players under the bus in press conferences. On Tuesday he dealt harshly with Ousmane Dembélé, who was sent off in the 56th minute. “A serious mistake» according to him. And this while the decision of Mr. Kovacs, known for having a heavy hand on boxes, is questionable to say the least. Two things: on the action of the 56th “Dembouz” doesn’t play the ball. The fault is not obvious, of course, but it is obvious. In any case, we imagine that it is above all the first yellow card, in the first act, that risks ulcerating Luis Enrique. A stupid protest card. From that moment on, the French international was, inevitably, in the sights of the Romanian referee. A 27-year-old player with 53 appearances for the Azzurri (6 goals), a fundamental driving force for this team, should avoid this type of gap. With his status, he must lead by example. He took it down. Guilty.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Bayern-PSG Match Analysis
Time.news Editor: Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re joined by renowned football analyst, Dr. Julia Hartmann, to discuss the recent Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Julia, thanks for taking the time to chat with us!
Dr. Julia Hartmann: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here and dissect such an intriguing match.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. One of the highlights from the match, as noted, was the return of Gonçalo Ramos after an ankle injury. What impact do you think he’ll have on PSG moving forward?
Dr. Hartmann: Ramos’ return is certainly a silver lining for PSG. He expressed confidence in his fitness, which is crucial given how the team has struggled offensively. His profile as a striker is promising, and while he still needs to establish himself at the European level, having someone like him back adds depth to their attacking options. However, the bigger question remains—how effective can he be without the other key players, especially given his teammates’ current form?
Editor: That’s a valid point. The article mentions that both Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola have faced difficulties translating their domestic success into the European arena. What do you believe is behind their struggles?
Dr. Hartmann: It often comes down to experience in high-pressure matches like these. Dembélé is talented but can be inconsistent in finishing, and while Barcola is leading in Ligue 1 scoring, European competition exposes different challenges—tactically and mentally. They need to understand their roles well and find that consistency to make a difference on the big stage.
Editor: Speaking of tactics, Luis Enrique’s approach in this match seemed unconventional, fielding a midfield-heavy lineup without a traditional center forward. What did you make of his strategy?
Dr. Hartmann: It was certainly bold! Luis Enrique’s plan seemed to focus on ball control and pressing, aiming to dominate the midfield. However, this tactic can lead to vulnerabilities, especially against a team like Bayern, which is adept at capitalizing on such gaps. Without a focal point upfront, the team appeared disjointed at times, lacking that clinical edge in front of goal. It might work against lesser teams, but Bayern punished any lapses effectively.
Editor: Bayern Munich, as noted, has shifted gears defensively since their earlier setbacks. How do you view the transformation of their defensive line under Vincent Kompany?
Dr. Hartmann: It’s clear that Kompany has instilled discipline and structure in the defense. Seven matches without conceding speaks volumes about their coordination and understanding on the pitch. They’ve become a well-oiled machine—efficient and aware of their positioning. Transitioning from an attack-minded mentality to a more balanced approach has added resilience to their game, allowing them to absorb pressure and respond effectively, often turning defense into quick counterattacks.
Editor: looking ahead, how can PSG adapt to improve their chances in upcoming matches, particularly with their attacking woes?
Dr. Hartmann: PSG must focus on tactical cohesion and ensuring their forward players are adequately supported. They could benefit from integrating a more traditional striker into their lineup, providing an outlet when the game gets congested. Additionally, they should work on improving their synergy in the final third to create more clear-cut chances. they need to blend their attacking creativity with a stronger finish, something they’ve struggled with recently.
Editor: Thank you, Julia, for sharing your insights! It’s clear that PSG has some challenges to address, but with the right adjustments, they could find their rhythm. We appreciate your analysis today.
Dr. Hartmann: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to watching how this season unfolds for both PSG and Bayern.