A clash of the two best teams in Europe at the moment, Bayern Munich are on a 15-game unbeaten run (with a 100% record), while PSG are the reigning Champions League winners.
Bayern had the perfect start to the game when a counter led by Michael Olise allowed the ball to rebound following a shot from the Frenchman, into the path of Luis Diaz, who gave the Bundesliga leaders the lead.
PSG had thought they had equalised through Ousmane Dembele, but the goal would be disallowed for offside.
Serge Gnabry had the best chance to make it 2-0 when the German was through on goal, hit the right side of the post, but the ball did not ricochet off the other side and just rolled out. However, Bayern did not have to wait long to make it 2-0, when Marquinhos spent too long surveying his options and Diaz grabbed his second of the game.
To end the eventful half, Diaz would be sent off for a bad challenge on Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan would be subbed off due to the severity of the challenge.
After an eventful first 45 minutes, the second half saw PSG really take control of the game as they looked to try and get back into it.
The Parisians would pepper Bayern’s goal with chance after chance, but Manuel Neuer made several key saves to keep PSG out. It became a real defensive performance from the Rekordmeister. However, PSG were able to get one back in the 74th minute from substitute Joao Neves to set up a difficult final 20 minutes for the Bavarians.
Are Bayern the best team in Europe?
Considering the clash of the titans nature of this game and the way that Bayern adapted their performance to win this, then it is fair to say – yes, yes they are.
Bayern usually dominates its opponents and needs to work on breaking them down before scoring, but in this game, the script was flipped, and the Bundesliga side needed to defend for most of the game. What this match-up also showed was how versatile Bayern’s front four are. Not only are they able to work on breaking teams down when they are averaging 60-70% of the ball, but they are also able to be lethal on the counter, which were able to do today as they baited PSG before launching their attacks.
What also needs reminding is that this is a PSG team who are the reigning champions and favourites to win the competition again.
If you read this and think, ‘oh maybe Arsenal are?’, we will be given the perfect test when the two meet in London at the end of this month.
PSG:
Lucas Chevalier (5), Achraf Hakimi (5), Marquinhos (4), William Pacho (5), Nuno Mendes (6), Warren Zaire-Emery (5), Vitinha (5), Fabian Ruiz (5), Khvicha Kavaratskhelia (6), Ousmane Dembele (-), Bradley Barcola (6)
Others: Kang-In Lee (6), Senny Mayulu (5), Goncalo Ramos (5), Joao Neves (6)
Bayern Munich:
Manuel Neuer (7), Konrad Laimer (7), Dayot Upamecano (6), Jonathan Tah (6), Josip Stanisic (6), Joshua Kimmich (6), Aleksander Pavlovic (6), Michael Olise (6), Serge Gnabry (5), Luis Diaz (7), Harry Kane (6)
Others: Tom Bischof (5), Min-Jae Kim (-), Leon Goretzka (-)
GGFN Man of the Match: Manuel Neuer (7)
The 39-year-old was called upon when he was needed. As PSG ramped up the pressure, Neuer proved a reliable option in goal to help see the game over the line. Via FotMob, the Bayern keeper made eight saves.
Luis Diaz would have been another option if he had not been sent off in the first half. While Konrad Laimer was given the hard task of defending Khvicha Kavaratskhelia, the Austrian passed with flying colours, winning 60% of his ground duels and providing 12 defensive contributions. Laimer continues to have an underrated season.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
