Bayern Munich, Barça’s executioner in the group stage, beat PSG in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League (2-0). The Bavarians, who had already emerged victorious from the Parc des Prínceps (0-1), were better than the Parisian team, a team they already defeated in the final of the competition three seasons ago.
Leo Messi will continue to be unable to win the Champions League away from Barça – the last time he lifted the trophy was in 2015 – and the entity owned by Qatar, chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, will continue one more season without winning in the competition what he longs for the most
After a very even first half, in which the French could have taken the lead thanks to a move by Vitinha that saved Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt under the posts, Bayern increased the lead after the break. The German siege was constant after passing through the dressing room tunnel, and shortly after a goal was disallowed for offside, Cameroonian Choupo-Moting opened the scoring (61′) taking advantage of a Marco Verratti strike.
PSG – who have lost centre-backs Marquinhos and Mukiele, both due to injury – made a timid attempt to react and had the best chances to equalize with two headers from 36-year-old veteran Sergio Ramos. The first was wonderfully solved by the Swiss goalkeeper Yan Sommer, emergency relief from Manuel Neuer, who was seriously injured while skiing in December. And the second one is out.
Without Neymar, injured in the ankle and who will not play again this season, Messi and Mbappé, both disappointing, have not been able to shine in front of a very serious Bayern Munich who will be among the eight best teams in Europe. Already in the end, Serge Gnabry scored, on the counter-attack, the second and final goal. PSG has not been able to score a goal in 180 minutes of the tie.
The Bavarians do not miss Robert Lewandowski and continue to be a colossus of continental football. As for Messi, who has yet to renew with PSG, this new disappointment may influence his future.