Bayern Munich dispatched PSG 2-0 and 3-0 on aggregate to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Despite the first-half ending goalless, that did not mean that there was a lack of goalmouth action.
Chances were few and far between but when Yann Sommer was caught on the ball and Vitinha had the goal at his mercy, Matthijs de Ligt would become Bayern’s saviour with a tie-saving goal line clearance. PSG would regret not taking their first-half chances as on the hour-mark Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tapped into an empty net to calm the nerves around the Allianz Arena. With time running out Joao Cancelo drove through the heart of PSG; setting up Serge Gnabry with the goal that put the tie beyond doubt.
Jamal Musiala is back to his best
Since Musiala forced his way into the Bayern Munich side he has shown week in week out why he has such a bright future ahead of him. For large portions of the season, he has even looked like Bayern’s best player. However, since the World Cup break, Musiala has not been operating at the level everyone has come to expect due to the standard he has set. With 10 goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga and Champions League this campaign, he has been pivotal to Bayern being able to operate on three fronts; the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal. Nevertheless, with only 4 of his 21 goal contributions coming since the World Cup, Bayern need Musiala to find his form once again.
Every time Bayern looked to threaten PSG in tonight’s clash it was through some Musiala brilliance. The first chance Bayern had in the first half, Musiala was able to turn quickly and test Donnarumma. When he was taken off in the 80th minute, it was clear he had outshone Messi and Mbappe. It felt as though the Musiala of old had returned and Bayern will now need him more than ever.
Bayern are in desperate need of a World Class striker
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been in excellent form for Die Rekordmeister this campaign. With 16 goal contributions so far this season in all competitions, the in-form striker has had the most prolific season of his career. When he had a goal ruled out for an offside on Thomas Müller, his missed chances looked to have come back to haunt Bayern. However, as always, Choupo-Moting delivered for Bayern with the goal to settle the nerves in the Allianz Arena.
Robert Lewandowski netted 48 times last year. This is the level expected and Choupo-Moting is far off the level required of a Bayern Munich striker. He has proved he can be a reliable scorer, but tonight’s game against PSG proved why a world-class striker is needed. With the opportunities that had fallen for him, a Robert Lewandowski would have had a hat trick, and the tie would have been buried far earlier. The links to Harry Kane would make perfect sense if Bayern want to continue dominating not just Germany but Europe as well.
Josip Stanisic has a future at Bayern Munich
With the long-term void Bayern have experienced at right-back, questions had been asked if Stanisic had the ability to step up into the role. He had only started five games prior to the second leg against PSG, however, he was called upon tonight to play on the right side of back three, as Kingsley Coman was deployed at right wing-back.
Despite the lack of game time received so far this campaign, Stanisic did not look out of place against a star-studded PSG side. With 7 recoveries and an 80% tackle success rate, he was able to prevent one of the most devastating attacks in Europe from scoring. At the same time, his connection with Coman down the right-hand side could prove why Bayern have already decided why they will not be taking up the option to buy when in reality he is just a squad player. Die Rekordmeister may have found the answer to their prayers with the quality Stanisic possesses.
GGFN | Will Shopland
