PSG knock out Bayern in the UEFA Champions League to slay last year's demons

Posted in Sports on 14th April 2021
Tags: Bayern, Football, PSG, Sports, UEFA Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain taking on Bayern Munich was undoubtedly the tie of the quarter-finals of this year's UEFA Champions League. The fact that this was a replay of last year's Champions League final, only made the match-up that much more exciting.

The two teams did not disappoint in the first leg as they served up a five goal thriller. Bayern having played better and with a larger share of the possession on the night, could not contain Kylian Mbappe who used his pace to great effect scoring PSG's first and third goals. It finished 3-2 to the Parisians on the night.

That set us up perfectly for the second leg. The onus was on the Bavarians to come out and attack as they needed two goals to force the issue. PSG were more than happy to sit back having done the hard work in the first leg and snapping up three away goals.

The match was in contrast to the first encounter. Bayern still enjoyed greater possession but it was not the lion's share 64% they'd had last time out. PSG came out guns blazing creating the first few chances of the game. Neymar was in his element, dazzling us all with his silky smooth moves, step overs and skills on the ball.

For all of Neymar's control on the ball, he was found lacking in his finishing. Having been played in by Mbappe, in a one-on-one against Neuer twice, Neymar could only manage to shoot at Neuer the first time and strike the post the second. This was after he'd managed to hit the post from a brilliant shot from outside the box, after manufacturing the space to get his shot away.

On big occasions like this, chances are few and far between and Neymar having missed those chances was immediately made to regret it when Choupo-Moting headed home from an Alaba shot that Keylor Navas could only parry into his path. The striker added to his goal from the first leg and suddenly Bayern looked very well set to complete a comeback with a half of football left to play.

The second half panned out like the first. Bayern for all their possession could not seem to create a clear cut chance. They did have shots on goal but Keylor Navas looked comfortable dealing with any threats. PSG came close to scoring when Neymar outstretched, just wasn't able to reach the ball across the box by Ángel Di María.

Leroy Sane had an up and down game. He was by far the Bayern player getting into the best attacking positions and creating chances for others. However, his end product was woefully lacking. There were several instances in the game where Sane could've created a goal if he'd picked the better option.

In the first half, Sane had the chance to slip in Thomas Müller who would've been one-on-one. Instead Sane chose to shoot wide. In the dying moments of the match, Sane found himself on the PSG byline. His cut-back was gratefully gobbled up by Navas. His decision making cost Bayern several clear cut chances which might've been enough to take them through.

It was a solid defensive display by the PSG midfield and defenders who defended everything Bayern threw at them with steely resolve. It finished 3-3 on aggregate over the two legs with PSG advancing on away goals. The Choupo-Moting goal being the only blip on an otherwise tremendous defensive display in the second leg. But PSG will not care one bit for they have now made their way into the semi-finals where they await the winners of the Dortmund-Manchester City clash.

Talking Points:

1. Kylian Mbappe has proved why he is considered among the world's best strikers right now. The clinical finishing and the ability to glide past defenders means he is a nightmare for any defender to deal with. The ruthlessness with which he converted his chances in the first leg meant PSG were in the driver's seat heading into their home fixture. Such clinical finishing will always have the opposition unsettled knowing that a single mistake they make will be pounced upon and converted.
   
2. Neymar showed us his exquisite ability on the ball and his unrivalled passing and skills. However, his finishing left a lot to be desired. Neymar found himself in several promising one-on-ones over the two legs and yet was not able to convert. Going forward in the tournament, PSG might just rue any missed opportunities as the chances will be a lot harder to come by. Neymar has to step up his ability to finish. For the game may just end up being won or lost on a single chance.
   
3. PSG have shown that they have finally overcome their demons. Far too many times in the past, PSG have been the victims of humiliating comebacks in which they held comfortable leads and yet squandered them away. Most notably, their 6-1 loss to Barcelona in which Neymar played a huge hand for Barca. There has been a huge shift in mentality and the approach to these big games for PSG. They have now proven that they can match up against the very best and be assured enough of their ability to see through difficult times.
   
4. Mauricio Pochettino has looked assured in his first season at PSG. Though they sit in second place in Ligue 1, the main aim for several years now has been to win the Champions League. PSG came incredibly close last year with Thomas Tuchel and it looks like now Pochettino might be the man to complete the job. It would be a fitting end as both Poch and PSG have tasted heartbreak in the Champions League final- Pochettino losing to Liverpool when he was managing Spurs and PSG last year to Bayern. PSG now are heavy favourites to go on and win the Champions League this season.
   
5. Bayern are still among the very best teams in the world. No one can deny the talent that the Bayern squad currently possess, with more set to come in over the summer transfer window. The tie against PSG was always going to be very close and Bayern left themselves a mountain to climb with their poor defensive display in the first leg at home. We can only expect Bayern to come back stronger next season where they will once again be heavy contenders.