Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Bayern Munich hand advantage to PSG at Allianz Arena

By Kiran Thakare

Bayern Munich found it difficult to handle Kylian Mbappe in the first leg of UCL quarter-finals at Allianz Arena. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich found it difficult to handle Kylian Mbappe in the first leg of UCL quarter-finals at Allianz Arena. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Bayern Munich managed to follow the trend of conceding goals cheaply against Paris Saint-Germain as the visitors clinch 3-2 win at Allianz Arena. Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace, while Marquinhos scored a decisive second goal for PSG. Thomas Muller and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting were on the scoresheet for the home side despite attempting 31 shots in the game.

Hansi Flick decided to stick with the same team that featured against RB Leipzig on Saturday. Alphonso Davies and Jerome Boateng were back in the squad, but they had to be content with a place on the bench. Nianzou Kouassi was also included in the Champions League squad for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the visitors made three changes to the team that suffered 1-0 defeat against Lille last weekend. In the defense, young full-back Colin Dagba replaced Thilo Kehrer, while suspended Leandro Paredes made way for Danilo. Mauricio Pochettino also brought in Julian Draxler in place of Moise Kean.

Die Roten started the game on the front foot as Lucas Hernandez forced a good save from Keylor Navas in the second minute. However, a good start swiftly into a disastrous one as PSG took the lead in the third minute. On the break, Neymar was allowed to dribble through the midfield before the Brazilian found Mbappe on his right side. The French footballer hammered the shot towards the goal straight at Manuel Neuer. The German goalkeeper let the ball fizzle past him.

More from Bayern Strikes

The French club found the back of the net once again few minutes later, but the offside flag saved Die Roten. In the final third, Flick’s men were piling pressure on PSG. However, they looked equally vulnerable when PSG used to win the ball in their third. Leon Goretzka and Benjamin Pavard had terrific shots saved as Bayern kept on pressing for the equaliser.

Chances kept flowing for the defending champions, but poor finishing and Navas were keeping the ball out of the net. Against the run of play, PSG managed to make sure that Die Roten paid for those missed chances. Marquinhos doubled the lead for the visitors in the 28th minute as Bayern’s defense fails to execute an offside trap. The Brazilian defender calmly slotted the ball past Neuer after Neymar played a delightful pass to find him.

Flick decided to change things immediately after PSG’s second goal. He replaced Goretzka with Davies, while Alaba moved into midfield. Die Roten immediately got back into the game as Choupo-Moting scored against his former club. Benjamin Pavard played a delightful cross from the right flank, which was headed past Navas by Choupo-Moting. Flick brought on Boateng for Sule as Die Roten ended the half strongly.

The second half start in an electric manner as Neymar almost restored PSG’s two-goal lead, but his finish was well saved by Neuer. Die Roten got back the control of the game and pinned visitors in their half. Alaba and Pavard were denied by two great saves from Navas. Rekordmeister eventually found the breakthrough through a set piece. A clever dink from Kimmich in the box was headed by Muller to get the home side back in the game.

Next. Bayern Munich interested in signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. dark

Flick’s men were relentlessly looking for the winner by creating chance after chance. However, there was yet another sucker punch for the home side. Another counter was brilliantly finished by Mbappe. The Frenchman was able to beat Boateng with his trickery and composure to release the shot at the near post.

Bayern struggled to create chances consistently after conceding the third goal. PSG was not dominating possession, but they were winning the ball at the right places. Muller and Alaba came close in the closing stages of the game, but PSG defended resolutely to see out the game. The defending champions have a mountain to climb in Paris after conceding three away goals to PSG.

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard- Sule-Alaba-HernandezKimmich-GoretzkaSane-Muller-ComanChoupo-MotingSubstitutes: Nubel, Martinez, Boateng (↓Sule (42′)), Davies (↓Goretzka (33′)), Sarr, Nianzou, MusialaParis Saint-Germain (4-2-3-1)NavasDagba-Marquinhos-Kimpembe-DialloDanilo-GueyeDi Maria-Neymar-DraxlerMbappeSubstitutes: Rico, Kehrer, Rafinha (↓Neymar (90′)), Kean (↓Di Maria (68′)), Sarabia, Herrera (↓Marquinhos  (30′)), Bakker (↓Diallo (46′)), Letellier, Pembele, Gharbi, Nagera,  Kamara"