PARIS – Bayern Munich players won the first match of the Champions League round of 16 at Paris Saint-Germain 1:0. Their narrow triumph was decided shortly after the change of sides by Kingsley Coman.
The local Parisians did not initially count on Kylian Mbappé, who had an injured thigh, but the French gunner eventually figured in the roster. However, he only started on the bench, and PSG had Lionel Messi and Neymar in front.
Warren Zaire-Emery broke the competition record by becoming the youngest ever player to start a Champions League knockout match at the age of 16 years and 343 days. Paris entered the first round of 16 very passively and let the opponent play. He had only one shot in the first half, which Messi sent into the wall in stoppage time. Bayern, without the injured Sadio Mané, threatened much more often and created chances.
Joshua Kimmich had the biggest one, Gianluigi Donnarumma handled his shot from outside the penalty area. PSG entered the second half actively and started to attack high, but in the 53rd minute, the guests got a quick action on the left side, the substitute Alphonso Davies sent a cross to Coman and he opened the scoring. Coach Galtier reacted by substituting Mbappé and Fabian Ruiz on the field, but the guests were on the horse.
Choupo-Moting could have buried PSG’s hopes for good
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had two great chances, his second attempt scraped Donnarummo on the crossbar and immediately he also neutralized Benjamin Pavard’s header. PSG only had the first chance in the 74th minute when Mbappe broke through on the left side, but he couldn’t beat Yann Sommer from a wide angle.
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Source: TASR/AP/Chritophe Ena
The subsequent stop already came from offside, and Mbappe’s goal from the 82nd minute was not valid due to the offside position revealed by VAR. However, the home team pressed hard in the end and created several good opportunities, but they could not equalize. In the end, Pavard committed a foul just before Messi’s penalty area and received a second yellow and red card, so he will not play in the rematch.
First leg of the Champions League round of 16:
Paris Saint-Germain – Bayern Munich 0:1 (0:0)
Goal: 53. Coman. Referee: Oliver (Eng.), ŽK: Kimpembe, Neymar – Pavard, ČK: 90.+2 Pavard (after 2nd ŽK)
PSG: Donnarumma – Hakimi (46. Kimpembe), Ramos, Marquinhos, Mendes – Zaire-Emery (57. Ruiz), Verratti, Danilo (75. Vitinha), Soler (57. Mbappe) – Messi, Neymar
Bayern: Sommer – Pavard, de Ligt, Upamecano – Sane (90. Stanišič), Kimmich, Goretzka, Cancelo (46. Davies) – Musiala (87. Gravenberch), Coman (76. Gnabry) – Choupo-Moting (76. Müller)
- Author: © List
- Source: TASR