PSG pass Bayern. Logic rests
In the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, PSG lost 0-1 at home to Bayern Munich, but advanced with an aggregate score of 3:3 thanks to away goals.
After the first match in Munich, we wrote that the match was not quite logical. Bayern pressed the entire match, but did not beat Paris by number of goals, losing 2:3 at Allianz Arena. Then PSG realized almost everything that they created. The second leg turned out to be completely mirrored.
Initially, in comparison with the first duel, Bayern lost Leon Goretzka and Niklas Sule. This forced Hansi Flick to release David Alaba into the support zone in pair with Joshua Kimmich from the start. Alphonso Davies played on the left, and Lucas Hernandez paired Jerome Boateng. Apart from injured Marquinhos, PSG had no losses. Moreover, Paredes returned, who played the entire match.
From the start of the match, the hosts took up the game on counterattacks. Bayern had to score, the guests sometimes put pressure on Mauricio Pochettino team's four defenders. But in fairness, PSG in this match played on defense almost as a standard, despite the conceded goal. Bayern Munich constantly doubled the wings thanks to the constant connections of David Alaba in the attack, mainly on the left wing, where he found himself along with Davies and Coman. Thanks to this, the only goal was scored in the second leg due to confusion in the penalty area.
As for PSG, it was a terrible day for Neymar in terms of realization. The Brazilian hit the post, the woodwork, Manuel Neuer helped out more than once, but he failed to score a goal. Nevertheless, it should be noted that in the second match, Pochettino managed to correctly motivate the attacking players to return to the defense. Mbappe or Neymar constantly descended to help partners. Draxler worked in moving the ball and gave all his best, and Di Maria had no equals along the entire right wing. The Argentine even forced Flick to replace Alphonso Davies, who could not hold him back for the entire match.
So why was there no logic in this confrontation? It's simple. Bayern won the first game, but the score said otherwise. We then admired PSG's counterattacks and their realization. This time the picture was reversed. The hosts looked better again, but lost to the guests because of Neymar’s issues.
Did PSG deserve to make it to the semifinals? We believe that both teams deserved to go further. But Pochettino urgently needs to do something with the realization. No one else will allow himself such a high line of defense against them, and every moment will be worth its weight in gold. Bayern left with their heads held high as the reigning Champions League winners. Flick showed that his guys can play their football even without half of the squad, which is very cool in the modern world, where everything has long been counted with the number of cups and medals. No, your own style and signature is an important part of the team and the club as a whole.
- Tottenham to patch up their central defense? Bournemouth central defender Ilya Zabarnyi has entered Tottenham's sphere of interest! It should be noted that in the current campaign, the Ukrainian has become a key performer for the Cherries and is helping them stay afloat at the bottom of the standings
- European top clubs are waiting for a promising Basque! It looks like Real Sociedad central midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be leaving his hometown club very soon! Barcelona, Bayern, Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in the services of the 24-year-old performer