FC Bayern Munich helped in the Champions League thanks to a courageous and ultimately very fortunate performance in the round of 16 first leg Paris St. Germain made a big step towards the quarterfinals.
The German record champions won on Tuesday (February 14, 2023) with a goal from Kingsley Coman (53rd minute). The VAR rightly conceded two goals from substitute Kylian Mbappé – but the Germans were very lucky in the final stages.
From the kick-off, Munich left no doubt that they could improve the German record champions’ negative record against the Franco-Qatari mega-ensemble (eleven games, six defeats): Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took his first shot from the edge of the penalty area after just 29 seconds, the ball went just wide of the hosts’ box.
Bayern start with a lot of pressure
With Joshua Kimmich and Coman (for Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry), the guests from the Isar put a lot of pressure on and for a long time did not allow the Parisians to approach the goal. Bayern created a number of quarter to half chances, but also thanks to Sergio Ramos in PSG central defence, it took a long time before Bayern got the first shot on goal in the first half of the game: Ramos cleared a cross right in front of Kimmich’s feet, his Shot from 18 meters to a sure prey of the Paris keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Worth mentioning: Yann Sommer in Munich’s goal only had to intervene once in the first 45 minutes: not on a Messi free-kick before half-time, but on a counterattack by the French, which Sommer carefully stopped outside his penalty area against the onrushing and very pale Neymar . Paris St. Germain, so celebrated and supposedly strong in attack, acted cautiously and almost fearfully without Mbappé.
PSG: Mbappé has to wait for his substitution
Shortly after the second half of the game, it looked as if PSG coach Christophe Galtier would bring Mbappé, who had recovered from injury, into the game. But the Parisian fans still had to be patient. Julian Nagelsmann replaced the slightly disappointing João Cancelo with Alphonso Davies.
The hosts started the second half of the game much better: more play, more speed and more effort towards the goal. Just 16-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery fired his way forward from the right, but Dayot Upamecano cleared Neymar for a corner. Sommer had problems with the cross and was lucky that no foul was called against him (50th).
Coman scores for Munich
Three minutes later, Coman raised his hands almost apologetically – he had scored against his old training club. And beautifully: the Frenchman took a precise cross from Davies from the left side at the far post with the inside of his right foot. Donnarumma didn’t cut a good figure, Bayern cheered.
With the frenetically applauded substitution of Mbappé hoped PSG on the turn. And that’s right: The hosts got more momentum into the game, but goal chances were thwarted by Matthijs de Ligt, Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard with great routine.
Bayern leave a double chance
After a good hour, Munich missed good chances to increase: Jamal Musiala put Choupo-Moting in the limelight, but the Bayern striker failed on PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma and on the crossbar (63rd). A minute later, the Italian cleared again strongly.
Ten minutes later, almost the shock for Munich: Mbappé approached Sommer alone, but the Bayern keeper parried – but right at Neymar’s feet. His attempt got stuck – then Mbappé was allowed to play again: goal – and offside.
Coman is fouled hard – and has to get out
A little later, Coman had to be treated after a hard attack by Presnel Kimpembe (70th) and then replaced. The French turned up now, Mbappé no longer showed any residual injury. Playback errors increased at Bayern.
After half a Müller chance (82nd, Musiala played), the PSG appendix celebrated again in the 84th minute: Mbappé scored. Offside again after VAR decision. And a little later, Sommer saved again after a big mistake in the build-up – this time against Vitinha. Compensation seemed only a matter of time.
In stoppage time, Pavard saw a yellow-red card after a tactical foul on Messi. The Bayern defense swam more and more in the face of the vehement Parisian advances – and saved themselves outnumbered to victory.
“It was a good game for us”said goalkeeper Sommer after his first premier class game for Bayern, but he also warned: “The second game in Munich won’t be a walk in the park, by any means.” And when asked about the hectic final phase, the 34-year-old said: “There was a bit of momentum coming in. But for the most part we did well”said Summer.
Bavaria and Summer in Gladbach
In the league, FC Bayern take on Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday (18.02.23, 3.30 p.m.) – the club from which keeper Yann Sommer switched to Säbener Straße during the winter break.