PSG Hold Firm in Munich to Book Champions League Final Spot Against Arsenal

If the first leg of this remarkable Champions League semi-final showcased the thrilling attacking play of both teams, the second instalment in Munich instead highlighted the defensive steel that both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain possess.

At the end of another enthralling 90 minutes, however, it was the visitors and defending champions, PSG, who qualified for the Budapest final, thanks to a 1–1 draw on the night, which was enough to secure a 6-5 aggregate triumph and their place in the summit clash against Arsenal.

PSG did the damage early, with a third-minute goal from Ousmane Dembélé, cleverly set up by a surging run down the left from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. They then defended stoutly for the remainder of the game and, though Harry Kane scored late on, it proved too little, too late for Bayern.

The home crowd created an incredible atmosphere, with tifos, banners, and much else, roaring their team on as the players emerged to warm up before the game.

The match itself settled into a rhythm of Bayern attacks and swift PSG counters, along with the predictable refereeing controversies. Bayern were incensed in the first half when they felt Nuno Mendes should have been given a second yellow card for a deliberate handball in the middle of the park. Two minutes later, their bench and Vincent Kompany were even more animated when protesting against a penalty decision that did not go their way.

Unfortunately for Bayern, the laws of the game state that a player will not be penalised for handball when the ball has been struck at them by a team-mate, unless the deflection subsequently leads to a goal. In this case, Vitinha’s clearance caught Joao Neves completely by surprise.

Michael Olise, outstanding in the first leg, was far quieter in the second, though he did have one superb curling shot that just skimmed over the bar. PSG, meanwhile, continued to pose a threat on the break, especially after the interval, when Manuel Neuer made outstanding saves from Désiré Doué, Kvaratskhelia, and Bradley Barcola, who had come on as a substitute.

Bayern pressed relentlessly in the second half and frequently got into the attacking third, only for the outstanding Marquinhos to marshal the rear guard superbly. But it was not just the defence – PSG defended as a team, often with ten men behind the ball. When Bayern attacked, it was not uncommon to see players like Barcola and Kvaratskhelia tracking back into full-back positions when needed.

That lack of ego is the greatness Luis Enrique has instilled in this side.

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