PSG vs Bayern: An Exciting Final, With No Goals😭

Yes, most of us were predicting a goal-fest. But when teams like Bayern play against teams like PSG, where both teams have won their respective leagues and both enjoy scoring goals, you cannot help but expect to see many goals.

In a game that many were expecting to go to extra-time after enough goals by each team in normal time, the scoreline would seem like a bit of a disappointment. At a point in the second half, many were also expecting their prediction of an extra-time game come true, with the scoreline of 0-0. But Bayern did get a goal through a Kingsley Coman, an ex-PSG player, who converted from a chipped ball from Kimmich at the expense of all PSG supporters. 

There was not too much to discuss regarding the starting 11 of either team and most people had predicted how both teams would play. There was one change for Bayern, though, who started with Kingsley Coman instead of Ivan Perisic. Bayern continued with their high line defence, and PSG continued with their wing domination after experimenting with a False 9 in the Quarter Final against Atalanta. Herrera was allowed in the starting 11 instead of Verrati, and that lead to some confusion.

The first half saw both teams being quite equal, with Bayern keeping more possession and PSG attacking every time they get the ball. There were a couple of calls for a penalty from each side during the game but both claims were rejected by the referee who seemed to be having a poor game. It was a defensive error from PSG that lead to the only goal of the game when Coman was left unmarked during a Kimmich quality ball.

Even after the goal, PSG had a few occasions where they should have scored but was denied by the German wall, Manual Neuer, who became the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup final and Champions League final. PSG coach, Tuchel made a few panic substitutions in the 80th minute by removing the two players who were actually supporting Neymar in the attacks, Di Maria and Juan Bernat. In my opinion, Choupo-Moting should not have been subbed on as better options, such as Mauro Icardi were available. Moreover, Kylian Mbappe was having a really poor game and he never got into the game completely. He is the man who should have been subbed off.

PSG received two golden opportunities in the final 10 minutes that Choupo-Moting couldn’t capitalise on, and players like Icardi could have converted there.

In the end, he, Neymar, seemed like the only player who was affected by the loss and his experience got him through the game. Only the experienced players from PSG bothered to put on a show as the rest of the players didn’t seem motivated enough to make a difference. Neymar, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Keylor Navas and di Maria were the players that were threatening to steal it from Bayern at any moment. A Champions League final that was played much below expectations, ended 1-0 to the Bavarian team.