Kingsley Coman guides Bayern Munich to victory in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against PSG
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at the Parc des Princes tonight, with Kingsley Coman scoring another goal against his former club.
The result gives Bayern a huge lead and they will play in the second leg at the Allianz Arena in just over three weeks, having withstood a late PSG siege following Kylian Mbappé’s second-half performance.
The first 45 minutes were slow, with both teams trying to create many chances, but the Germans had the better chances and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting looked particularly lively.
Bayern dominated possession in the early stages of the game while PSG struggled to get into the game while the hosts struggled to create anything spectacular in the opposition’s third.
Perhaps due to the absence of talisman Mbappé, who was only deemed fit for a place on the bench, the Parisians managed just one shot in the entire first half, with Lionel Messi’s overwhelming free-kick. Time.
After a disappointing start to the game, both coaches changed at half-time, with Alphonso Davies coming on for Bayern and the Canadian left-back making an immediate impact.
The 22-year-old collected the ball down the left side before passing the ball to an unmarked Coman at the far post, who penned no error as he slid the ball past Donnarumma, although in truth the keeper probably should have been better.
It’s not the first time the Frenchman has scored against his former club, his goal is reminiscent of 2020. The winner of the Champions League final and Christophe Galtier, anxious not to repeat that result, didn’t hesitate to ask Mbappé to oblige.
The Frenchman came to life in the final stages of the game and put Yann Sommer to the test for the first time after running to the post before heading into the net after Neymar’s rebound. the linesman’s flag.
Another attempt from the 24-year-old had to be ruled out by VAR and Messi had no chance to equalize with a fantastic block from Benjamin Pavard, putting his body on the line to keep his side’s advantage, but the defender would don’t do it. to be together available. for the second leg when he was sent off for a second booking in added time after slipping on Messi.
Bayern managed an important win despite losing control of the game, but one can’t help feeling that the game could look very different in just over three weeks if Mbappe were free from the start.
Match Facts :
- Coman, who has made four senior appearances for PSG, has scored four goals in his last three games.
- Bayern have reached the Champions League quarter-finals or better in 10 of their last 11 seasons, starting in 2012-13. and 2019-2020 won the fifth and sixth times.
- The German record holders have won six of their 12 meetings with PSG.
- 2022/23 Julian Nagelsmann’s side are second in goalscorers (19) behind Napoli (20) and boast the best defense against Man City (two to one) in this season’s competition. PSG scored 16 goals and conceded eight.
- Musiala is one of 11 Bayern players who will be in the 2019-2020 season. beat PSG in the final. He is Bayern’s top scorer in all competitions this season (14 goals and 10 assists).
- Choupo-Moting, who was a substitute for PSG that day, is enjoying his best season to date with 13 goals, including three in the Champions League.
Lineups:
PSG:
Donnarumma – Hakimi (Kimpembe 46′), Ramos, Marquinhos (c), Mendes – Zaire-Emery (Ruiz 57′), Danilo (Vitinha 75′), Verratti, Soler (Mbappe 57′) – Messi, Neymar
Unused subs: Rico, Letellier, Bernat, Pembele, Bitshiabu, Gharbi, Ekitike
Bayern:
Sommer – Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Cancelo (Davies 46′) – Kimmich (c), Goretzka – Sane (Stanisic 89′), Musiala (Gravenberch 87′), Coman (Gnabry 76′) – Choupo-Moting (Müller 76′)
Unused subs: Ulreich, Schenk, Sarr, Blind, Tel, Ibrahimovic
Scorers:
53’ Coman
Yellow cards:
Kimpembe
Pavard
Red Card:
Pavard