Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, another narrow victory as in the first leg but a superiority that became palpable in the second half when Choupo-Moting scored another former goal to send the French side packing.
The German team, champions for the sixth and final time in 2020 at PSG’s expense, were superior to Messi and Mbappé on the way back from the dressing room. The Gallic energy, fifth last-16 exit in the last seven editions of the Champions League, was extinguished in that distinctly home comeback at the Allianz Arena, a home thrust that punished Verratti in the steal up top and rounded off in the 90th minute with Gnabry.
The first half was not disappointing for both sides, with both sides exchanging dominance, pressure and chances. The first round belonged to Bayern, with Goretzka shooting, but PSG took control of the ball with Messi fairly unmarked and the support of Vitinha and Verratti.
The Argentinian failed to finish a carbon copy of his recent goal against Nantes and, around the half-hour mark, Bayern came out of the woodwork with the talents of Musiala. The young German international had a shot on the turn cleared off the line by Donnaroumma, but before half-time came the visitors’ best, putting pressure on goalkeeper Sommer only to be left with the ball just wide of the target.
Vitinha eventually won the ball back with the keeper out of position, but his shot was saved low by De Ligt. PSG, who bemoaned injuries in defence to Marquinhos and his replacement Mukiele, lost their nerve after the break, with more from Musiala and a hungry Choupo-Moting against his former team, like Coman in the first leg.
The Cameroon striker did get on the scoresheet but was cancelled out because Müller’s leg was offside, but Bayern were on the back foot as they erased their opponents’ midfield. Julian Nagelsmann’s men smelled blood and, in the pressure on Verratti, found the ball for the 1-0 lead easy for Choupo-Moting. Christophe Galtier’s men reacted as best they could, but Bayern had Messi and Mbappé under control.
It was Sergio Ramos who, with two headers, could have brought the visitors back into the game. The Spanish defender missed the target by inches, but the German discipline, while putting in more wood with Mané or Cancelo, countered with the lack of control of a PSG that conceded the 2-0 of impotence in the last minute through Gnabry.
TECHNICAL FACTS AND FIGURES:
–RESULT: BAYERN MUNICH, 2 – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN, 0. (0-0, at half-time).
–LINE-UP:
BAYERN MUNICH: Sommer; Stanisic, Upamecano, De Ligt, Alphonso Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Coman (Gnabry, min.86), Müller (Cancelo, min.86), Musiala (Mané, min.82) and Choupo-Moting (Sané, min.68).
PSG: Donnaroumma; Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos (Mukiele, min.36; Bitshiabu, rest); Achraf, Vitinha (Ekitike, min.81), Verratti, Fabian Ruiz (Warren Zaire, min.76), Nuno Mendes (Bernat, min.82); Mbappé, Messi.
–GOALS:
1 – 0, min.61, Choupo-Moting.
2 – 0, min.90, Gnabry.
–REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA). Yellow cards for Achraf (min.95) for PSG.
–STADIUM: Allianz Arena.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
