“Clever and clever,” praised Kahn Bayern’s performance. After a lot of unrest about the injured captain Manuel Neuer and speculation about the coach-team relationship, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic made this statement: “Today you could see that the team and coach work very well and harmonize.” A push into the quarterfinals could start a great season. “We saw what our team is capable of,” said Kahn.
Messi and Neymar just extras
Munich were dominant for a long time. World champion Lionel Messi and star colleague Neymar were largely extras in the Prince Park. But all viewers had also seen two games – one without Mbappé and one with Mbappé after he was substituted on. “In the second half you saw what this absolutely exceptional player does, not only in the crowd but also in the team. Then Paris believed in it again,” remarked Kahn.
Nagelsmann described Mbappé, who had previously injured his thigh, as a “game changer”. And honorary president Uli Hoeneß was in a good mood after the “optimal” outcome of the game for his Bavarians: “There were two teams from Paris, one without and one with Mbappé.” But in the second leg you will be prepared for Mbappé.
When the high-speed striker entered the pitch after Coman’s goal, grass chess suddenly became a football spectacle after all. Mbappé and the PSG fans celebrated twice, but both of the top star’s goals did not count for offside. There was a challenge from Mbappé: “We showed in the final stages of the game that we can be dangerous if we play our attacking football. We’re going to Munich to win and to progress.”
Coman scores again against ex-club
In the Prince Park was another king. “King” Coman scored again decisively in his hometown against his ex-club, where his football career began as a child. As in the 2020 final in Lisbon, the Frenchman again scored the winning goal to make it 1-0, this time with a volley.
“This is my home. I was born here. We can achieve a lot if we play like this,” said Coman. The 26-year-old later had to leave injured. “Nothing bad,” said Nagelsmann. In the second leg, however, he has to do without defender Benjamin Pavard, who saw a yellow-red card in injury time.
Bayern needed a little bit of stupidity. And in Yann Sommer a goalkeeper who showed that he is a veritable replacement. Once the Swiss national goalkeeper made a spectacular save against Mbappé. “Awesome parade,” said Joshua Kimmich. The temporary captain called progress “not at all safe”. Rather, he expects “a tough task” in three weeks.
During the night, however, Kahn initially focused again on the title fight in the Bundesliga with stubborn hunters like Union Berlin and especially Borussia Dortmund: “Jo Kimmich said it right again in the dressing room. Now it’s on to Borussia Mönchengladbach. And we know: They’re waiting out there for us to stumble, too. And we don’t want to do anyone a favour.”
