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Writer's pictureLee Clow

Bayern Munich Win The Champions League


The Bayern Munich players celebrate with the Champions League trophy after securing their sixth European title against Paris Saint Germain.

Image Credit: The Guardian

By Lee Clow 23 August 2020 | Champions League


Bayern Munich were crowned Champions of Europe for the sixth time as they overcame Paris Saint Germain in the 2020 Champions League Final.


The German Champions claimed the most prestigious trophy in European football as they finally closed the book on the delayed 2019/20 season. A single goal by Kingsley Coman settled the victory for Bayern as PSG’s big stars failed to turn up when most needed.


The game started tentatively, as expected, with both sides looking to outwit and punish each other with their lethal attacking threats.


The first major chance of the game came for PSG as Neymar found some space down Bayern’s right-hand side. The Brazilian, who previously won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, was fed in expertly and this allowed him to have a strike on goal, but Manuel Neuer, in the Bayern goal, fantastically got down well to smother the strike with his legs.


The chance appeared to lighten up the game as moments later it was Bayern who came inches away from scoring. Lewandowski superbly controlled a cross by Thomas Muller in the box, before turning quickly and striking towards goal, but the Polish-man’s attempt agonisingly struck the post too much relief of PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas.


Following this, PSG went down the other end of the pitch as they threatened Bayern’s goal once again. Neymar excellently carried the ball before releasing Angel Di Maria the towards the edge of the area. The Argentine winger skilfully skipped past two defenders before striking towards goal, but his weak footed attempt just sailed over the bar.


PSG came close once again after Ander Herrera got onto the end of a corner kick. The former Manchester United midfielder, whilst in space, unleashed a thunderous half volley towards goal, but luckily for Bayern, Leon Goretzka got in the way to deflect the ball wide of Neuer’s goal.


It appeared to get worse for Bayern as moments later, defender Jerome Boateng was forced off the field with an injury. The former German international was replaced in the first half by Niklas Sule, a player who was expected to start the final after Boateng appeared to pick up an injury in the semi-final against RB Leipzig.


After riding the storm of PSG’s attack, Bayern Munich finally began to settle into the game and create chances for themselves. Lewandowski, as ever, was at the heart of Bayern’s attack and came very close to breaking the deadlock when he saw his flick header saved well by the alert Navas.


Right on half time, it looked like Bayern had given a goal away as Kylian Mbappe nicked the ball on the edge of the box. After stealing the ball, Mbappe played a clever one two with Herrera before striking on goal, but the France superstar’s strike lacked any conviction making it easy for Neuer.


The teams went into the break with the scores level, with both sides left rueing their chances.


In the second half, the pattern of play returned to how it was at the start of the first half, with both sides trying to figure each other out.


On the hour mark, the deadlock was finally broken as Coman fired the German giants in front. Joshua Kimmich, down the right flank, put in a teasing ball into the box, allowing Coman to come in round the back and place a header into the corner of the net.


Following the opener, Bayern appeared to have the grit between their teeth as they looked for another goal to put some breathing space between them and PSG.

Munich came very close to scoring their second soon after as Coman terrorised PSG’s right side once again. The French international excellently controlled a Muller cross before skipping past Thilo Kehrer and striking low towards goal, but Thiago Silva heroically cleared the ball off the line to keep the scores at a one goal deficit.


Following this, PSG made attacking changes as they looked for a much-needed equaliser. Mbappe and Neymar came close for PSG deep into the second half, but their biggest chance came from Marquinhos who managed to find space in the box, but once again Neuer came out quickly to smother the Brazilian’s strike.


With the clock ticking down, PSG continued to be frustrated by Bayern, who remained strong in defence. Mbappe and Neymar lacked any creativity in the second half and this summed up PSG’s final display.


After 95 minutes, the whistle was finally blown, confirming Bayern Munich’s sixth European title. PSG once again fall short in the Champions League with their star men failing to turn up as expected.


What’s next?


With the 2019/20 season finally over, attention now turns to pre-season with the return of domestic football imminent.

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