FC Bayern won 1-0 in the round of 16 first leg in Paris and secured a strong starting position. FCB also had goalkeeper Sommer to thank for that.
Match winner at old place of work: Kingsley Coman apologizes.
IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Neither of the two big clubs had recently presented themselves in really strong form, and that was also felt in the first round of 16 duel between the giants. Bayern, where coach Nagelsmann preferred Musiala and Choupo-Moting to Müller, took command straight away. Ex-PSG striker Choupo-Moting fired a warning shot after just 30 seconds. But there was hardly any getting through.
PSG shuts down and waits
Because Paris, where there was only enough for the ailing Mbappé for a bench seat, while the only 16-year-old Zaire-Emery started in the right midfield, waited patiently. The star ensemble lurked unhurriedly for counterattack opportunities that they were only rarely able to force. Once Zaire-Emery sent Neymar, who was outplayed by Cancelo (8th). On the other side, the Paris bulwark around the attentive Ramos allowed similar little.
The theoretical football spectacle was practically none. Bayern’s game dominance – tactically in 3-1-5-1 – didn’t yield any results, only in the 30th minute did Choupo-Moting create a little danger after a Coman cross. A pointer turn later, Verratti threw himself into Musiala’s shot (31′), Kimmich demanded a save from Donnarumma shortly before the break (43′). But the first section of this top pairing still had a lot to offer.
The beginning of the second half was more balanced, Paris invested more. Galtier had switched to a back three – but quickly had a puzzled expression on his face. Davies, whom Nagelsmann brought for Cancelo, crossed to Coman. Donnarumma got his direct acceptance through the braces to make it 0: 1 – the Italian didn’t cut a good figure (53.).
Bayern’s lead was good for the game, as was Mbappé’s substitution in the 57th minute. But the superstar didn’t let her down, FCB stayed on the trigger – and sniffed intensely at the second goal. After a good hour, Donnarumma made strong saves against Choupo-Moting (62′, 63′) and Pavard (64′), and the Cameroonian’s second attempt ended up hitting the post.
Bavaria survives Paris assault
Donnarumma’s opposite Sommer had spent a fairly quiet working evening up until then – which was to change abruptly. In the 73rd minute, the highly dangerous Mbappé ran diagonally towards Sommer, who parried brilliantly – then against Neymar (74′). And that’s not all. It was almost only a suddenly brilliant PSG that was allowed to celebrate the equalizer at least briefly: Mbappé pushed the ball over the line, but assist provider Mendes had stood offside with his toe (82nd).
Shortly thereafter, Pavard just saved against Messi (85th), whom he had already warned in injury time – that gave yellow-red (90th + 2). In the end, ten Bavarians dragged themselves across the finish line – with a valuable away win in the back for the second leg in the Allianz Arena on March 8th.
