The finalist will be determined on Wednesday next week at the Allianz Arena in Munich
A first leg of the ‘early final’ of the Champions League It was a spectacle of offensive football. With Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich alternating on the scoreboard, the advantage went to the current championwho were not intimidated when they lost and beat the Germans 5-4 with a comeback at Parque dos Príncipes.
The finalist is determined at the Wednesday next week at the Allianz Arenain Munich. The French will arrive with the advantage of a draw, something that has not yet occurred in the matches of the confrontation (there are nine victories for the Germans compared to eight for PSG).
To Bayern, the campaign in the current edition serves as motivation after the setback in France. The Bavarians won their six home games in the current edition of the Champions League, scoring an incredible 20 goals, an average of 3.33 per game, against high-profile rivals, such as Real Madrid and Chelsea, which causes concern for the French.
As teams had already faced each other in the group stage of the current editionalso at Parque dos Príncipes, but with the Germans having the upper hand, winning 2-1 with two goals from Colombian Luis Díaz – Portuguese João Neves scored at the end.
This Tuesday’s game ‘started’ before the opening whistle, when the Bavarian team entered the field to warm up to huge boos from the French. PSG fans knew they could make a difference in the balance confrontation and tried to destabilize the experienced opponents. Fireworks – the field was filled with smoke in a beautiful celebration – welcomed the athletes.
It attracted attention, before the ball rolled in the Parque dos Príncipes, the striker Doué and left-back Nuno Mendes receiving thigh massages. Both have had muscle problems recently, but they wouldn’t miss the semi-final for anything.
The long-awaited clash began with loud singing from the stands and study from the opponents. The bet on a high-intensity start was not confirmed and the teams took a while to threaten the goals defended by Neuer and Safonov. Protecting the ball seemed to be the main mission and the defenses stood out.
After 15 minutes lacking in emotions, Kvaratskhelia didn’t want to be ‘starved’ in the attack and missed the cross, providing the counterattack that ended with the referee blowing a penalty. Pacho on Luis Díaz, who started at speed against four markers and was knocked down when receiving in the area. Kane scored with precision: 1-0, at 17, and the German’s 54th goal of the season.
The Bavarian advantage could have been greater if Olise did the trick two minutes later by coming face to face and hitting Safonov. The attacker chose the corner and ended up wasting a huge chance. Marquinhos still cut close to the line after the goalkeeper’s providential deflection.
In a duel of this magnitude, wasted chances can be costly. And, on the French side, the best in the world, Dembélé, also received a free kick, turned his foot to hit it with style and sent it wide. The striker’s sad face turned into a smile a few seconds later with his teammate Kvaratskhelia redeeming himself by cutting the marker and equalizing in the corner.
The game was lively and, if the Bayern were inaccurate up frontthe short João Neves didn’t waste anything and turned the score around, with a header, after appearing by surprise in the area following a corner kick in the 33rd minute.
In a game of redemption, the two attackers who had missed clear chances turned things around before the break. First it was Olise’s turn to erase the bad impression of the missed goal by passing four markers and hitting hard to leave the score equal again, now 2-2.
In addition, a controversy. Dembélé crossed, the ball deflected off Davies’ body and hit his arm. After consulting the VAR, the penalty was awarded to the Germans’ outrage. The attacker also took the charge to redeem himself in the match and hit the corner, taking the French to rest relieved.
Luis Enrique said on the eve of the semi-final that his team was the best in the competition, and the fourth goal proved his words. Kvaratskhelia appeared in the area to enlarge. Bayern was stunned and the French took advantage of their momentary sovereignty to score another goal, now with Doué, in a high-speed counterattack.
Bayern don’t have six Champions League titles by chance and they reacted. Betting on the aerial play, he “returned” to the match. Upamecano, with a header, scored, still with more than 25 minutes to play. In a long release, it was Luis Díaz’s turn to appear. The Colombian got rid of the score and scored a beautiful goal at Parque dos Príncipes, in unlikely resurrection of a visitor who was dejected on the field after the fifth goal.
PSG knew they needed more goals, but the fatigue of some starters forced Luis Enrique to change his pieces. Vitinha and Mayulu, rested, almost expanded. The Portuguese served the attacker, who stopped at the crossbar. In the end, Moroccan Hakimi – Brazil’s rival at the start of the World Cup – felt the back of his thigh, which could be a huge absence on his return.
