Paris Saint-Germain drew Bayern Munich 1-1 on the road in Munich, winning the series (6-5) on aggregate to advance to the UEFA Champions League Final. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé scored for the victors in the third minute, putting his side ahead for the rest of regulation. Harry Kane gave Bayern a consolation goal in 90+4′ to end the match in a draw.
The goals weren’t flying like they were during the first leg in the Parc des Princes, where fans and spectators were treated to a nine-goal thriller. We knew this game would be more tactical. Just because the match ended in a draw doesn’t mean it was boring in the least bit.
Paris Saint-Germain were defending for their lives after Dembélé’s goal early in the first half. The Parisians were outpossessed (38%-62%), but were still able to threaten in the attacking third. Having taken eight corners in the match, a combination of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Nuno Mendes continuously threatened on the wings.
“It was a high-level game with both teams playing well,” said PSG manager Luis Enrique. “We defended well, and we started the game very positively. We created chances in the first minutes after we scored the goal. It was difficult; Bayern was attacking constantly.”
Nothing was working offensively for Bayern, and again, that’s because of PSG’s defensive strategy. The defenders defended the crosses well, and every time Bayern beat the fullbacks, PSG defenders made it difficult to put the ball between the goalkeeper and the centerbacks. PSG made it difficult for Bayern’s forwards to cut back successfully because their midfielders were always there. Moreover, the Parisians made it difficult for the hosts to play around the box.
“First of all, congratulations to PSG,” said Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany post-match. “I think we played the same level as PSG. These games are always difficult for both sides, and it was all about little details; the game in Paris, this game as well. Some parts of the game here and in Paris were decisive. There are these kinds of details that can influence the game.
One of those details Kompany insinuated, without a doubt, was the officiating. There was only one offside call in the match, reflecting the tactile quality of both sides, but a pair of fouls in the box and some clear-looking handballs had the Belgian gaffer fuming.
“I looked at the images three times. Maybe you saw different images than I did, but I didn’t see any image where Laimer touched the ball with his hand,” Kompany began as he railed on the officiating after the match. “There’s 50 people in this room, and nobody said they saw a handball by Laimer, and I was 10 meters away, and I don’t think that Konrad touched the ball with his hand. It should’ve been a clear second yellow for Nuno Mendes. Then there was a foul against us awarded to PSG. These things can decide a game… They did decide the game.”
Arsenal supporters were no doubt in support of a Bayern Munich victory. The Gunners handed Kompany’s club a thumping 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in London. The very opposite happened the last time they played PSG, with the French champions advancing to last year’s Champions League final after thwarting the Gunners 3-1 on aggregate. With a rematch of last year’s semifinal awaiting PSG, Luis Enrique isn’t concerned about hype after tonight’s match.
“We showed what kind of team we are, what type of players we have, and it’s incredible,” said Enrique during the post-match press conference. “This is the second Champions League final in a row. This shows the level of the team, the fans, and the club. We’re very satisfied.”
Paris Saint-Germain will face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday, May 30, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. The French giants aim to be the first club to win back-to-back titles since Real Madrid’s reign from 2016-2018. The final will air in English on CBS and Paramount+. Spanish coverage will air on Univision and TUDN.
-Jon Jones