Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-4 wild loss to PSG (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich traveled to Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal and the game played out like many though that it would — an up-and-down affair that saw both attacking groups wreak havoc.
Unfortunately for the Bavarians, PSG would emerge as the winner of a rollicking 5-4 affair that saw incredible swings of emotions from the opening whistle. There is a lot to talk about, so let’s get to it. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- The biggest news with the lineup was the absence of Konrad Laimer. Admittedly, not many saw this coming. Was he hurt? Was it strategic? Josip Stanišić got the nod at right-back and Alphonso Davies started at left-back. Otherwise, everything else fell right in line. That would turn out to be a major storyline for the match.
- PSG came out far more assertive and inspired than it did back in November.
- In the 16th minute, PSG blinked first after some back-and-forth play. Willian Pacho was sloppy in attempting to tackle Luis Díaz inside the box and fouled the Colombian. A minute later, Harry Kane deftly sent Matvey Safonov sprawling and put the Bavarians up 1-0.
- What a sequence for the vaunted Bayern Munich attacking group.
- Two minutes later, Olise almost made it 2-0. Safonov made the stop, but as the ball trickled behind him, Marquinhos dashed in to clear it away from the goal line. Bayern Munich had taken the game over, but PSG is too good to just roll over. That clearance by Marquinhos would end up being a massive play.
- Minutes later, Bayern Munich received a major scare when Ousmane Dembélé sprinted away from Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, but as he sprinted down the left side of the final third, he fluffed his attempt and sent it way wide.
- That was a harbinger of things to come, though. Shortly thereafter, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia knotted the game when he took advantage of Stanišić’s tendency to “ball watch.” The split-second of hesitation and a jab step toward Désiré Doué cost the defender dearly. The dynamic winger raced by the defender, as he found the perfect angle to shoot the ball into the far corner of the net. That is just what Kvaratskhelia does.
- The goal ignited PSG and João Neves was able to give the home side a 2-1 lead after a corner (!?) from Dembélé.
- Minutes later, Dembélé almost made it 3-1, but Upamecano made a massive stop to prevent the game from spiraling out of control.
- In the 37th minute, Díaz set up Musiala in front of the net, but Musiala opted to try a pass that did not work.
- In the 39th minute, Stanišić — of all people — found himself driving down the right side and in on goal, but did not pull the trigger quick enough and had it tackled away.
- Olise, though, would step up and come through again when needed. His 41st minute shot was not of the spectacular variety, but it somehow evaded Safonov (well, most of Safonov, he got a hand on it).
- This game featured some of the finest wings you will see in the world.
- It was a rough half (okay, rough game) for Stanišić, but that did not separate him from many of the defenders in this game as they were all on their heels. Unfortunately, there is going to be a lot of discussion about him and a lot of fingers pointed at him as well, but it was more than just him contributing to the defensive breakdowns.
- Speaking of that, Davies found himself in a precarious position in added time as he turned his body when Dembélé tried to send a ball into the box. In doing so, his hand flailed out and the ball found it for a handball. The problem was that Davies was inside the box. After a lengthy discussion and review, it was ruled a PK and Dembélé beat Neuer for a 3-2 lead heading into the locker room for halftime. There was a lively debate about the handball rule and even though the ruling appeared to fly in the face of the actual rule, there was always going to be a strong chance a handball would be called. In that spot…in Paris…there was never a doubt that would be the call — and honestly, Bayern Munich fans would have expected it to be called if it was the other way around.
- After the halftime break, Bayern Munich subbed out Davies in favor of Laimer. Many fans thought Stanišić should have been the one taken out, but there was no easy call. No one on the backline looked overly confident.
- Laimer had a chance to knot the game in the 54th minute, but missed pretty badly.
- This game was always going to come down to which team was more efficient with its chances because both squads were inevitably going to get a lot of them. As the game played out, PSG won that battle.
- In the 56th minute, Kvaratskhelia continued his menacing play. Hakimi sent a ball through the box that was effectively dummied. The winger ran into it — all by himself — and torched a shot by Stanišić to the near side after Neuer gambled to cover the far side.
- Worse, Dembélé scored — again! — in the 59th minute as he drifted off of Upamecano’s back shoulder and had enough space to fire off another shot at the near post that Neuer could not react to. Maybe PSG had that in their scouting report? Anyway, it was 5-2 and things were not looking great.
- How wild was this game? A Kimmich set piece in the 65th minute hit a streaking Upamecano, who headed home a goal to make it 5-3. Insanity…total insanity! The tide would begin to turn as well.
- Falling behind by three goals lit a major fire under Bayern Munich and you could see that it was now PSG who was reeling.
- In the 68th minute, Luis Díaz made one of those spectacular runs that he has become known for and while it was initially called offside, VAR eventually ruled it onside. This game had it all! It was a beautiful ball-in from Kane.
- Again, no one expected either defense to hold up, but Olise was killing Nuno Mendes.
- Oddly, Bayern Munich seemed to take its foot off the gas for the game’s final 10 minutes. Whether it was fatigue or strategy, we do not know, but they just did not keep up that same intensity.
- Overall, this is not the result that Bayern Munich wanted, but it was always going to come down to efficiency in front of the net and which backline would break down less. In this battle, PSG came out the victor. Can the French power do it again next week on the road? That will be the question. Aside of that, Bayern Munich’s attack did what we thought it would do; and its backline, well, so did they. This is not an insurmountable deficit, but it will not be easy either. The boys will have a challenge ahead of them, but there is no reason to think they will not rise to the occasion.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Alonso on Chelsea’s shortlist (ESPN)
Chelsea could have Xabi Alonso on its list of coaching candidates:
Xabi Alonso is one of three managers Chelsea are keen to hold talks with to replace Liam Rosenior, according to The Sun. Fulham’s Marco Silva and AFC Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola are reported to be the other two names on their immediate radar. Alonso is unemployed after he was sacked at Real Madrid in January, while Iraola will leave Bournemouth this summer. Silva could also be a free agent at the end of the season, as he is yet to sign a new deal at Fulham.
Bischof, Karl continue hard work on comeback trail (@iMiaSanMia)
Surely, Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl were disappointed to not be with the team in Paris, but they looked like they were having some fun as they both work to get back to full health:
Bild (via @iMiaSanMia_GER) gave a rundown of what the duo did:
Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof worked individually for around 50 minutes in the morning under the guidance of rehab head Benjamin Sommer and rehab coach Simon Martinello. In addition to runs at various speeds, various passing exercises were also on the program. [BILD]
Mourinho back to Real? (Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg)
Believe it or not, Real Madrid might be considering a return for José Mourinho:
🚨👑 Jorge Mendes and Florentino Perez have been in direct talks for days over Jose #Mourinho. Personal terms and contract length are not an issue.
Mourinho is 100% ready to return to Real Madrid. If the final decision falls in his favour, then it will be Mourinho. As reported on our Sky show last night.
Currently, there are no developments concerning Jürgen Klopp. @SkySportDE
Stones out at City (Manchester City)
As expected, John Stones will leave Manchester City after the season:
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay at the Etihad .
Having joined City in 2016 where the English central defender became Pep Guardiola’s second signing, Stones has gone to make 293 appearances in what has been a magnificent decade of service to date.The 31-year-old’s huge contribution across the most sustained and successful era in the Club’s history stands without question.
To date, Stones has helped City win 19 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, two FA Cup triumphs, five Carabao Cup successes, three Community Shields, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup winner’s medal.
Stones was linked to Bayern Munich, but it seems unlikely that he would seek to move to Germany at this point. It might be the worst idea for the Bavarians, but it just does not seem like something that will happen.
Wolfsburg dreams of Füllkrug (Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg)
Wolfsburg wants to bring Niclas Füllkrug back to Germany:
🚨🐺 Excl | Niclas Füllkrug is VfL Wolfsburg’s dream transfer target for the summer in case they stay in the Bundesliga, seen as a leader for the squad.
There have recently been direct talks between Wolfsburg and Füllkrug, but no decision has been made yet. #WHUFC
West Ham would be willing to let him leave for a low fee this summer. MLS, Italy, Spain and Werder Bremen are all options for the summer. @berger_pj @SkySportDE
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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