Bayern Beats out PSG for a Spot in the Champions League Quarterfinal
Bayern Munich got the best of Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg in a row, defeating the French giants 3-0 on aggregate. Bayern advance to their record-leading 21st Champions League quarterfinal. They’ll await the next knockout round draw in hopes of winning their eighth Champions League title.
The Lead-in
Bayern entered Wednesday’s match against PSG with a one-goal advantage. The 1-0 win in Paris meant the German champions needed a win or a 0-0 draw to advance.
With Neymar out due to injury, the Bundesliga champions still looked to maintain PSG’s all-time top goal scorer in Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
In front of 75,000 fans at Allianz Arena, the German faithful looked to see their side advance to the next round.
Defense Wins Games
It was a scoreless first half in Munich.
A through ball in the 25th minute to Nuno Mendes up top got the Portuguese national behind the Bayern defense.
He squared the ball to Messi who lined up to shoot, but a sliding tackle from Alphonso Davies saved the day. The Canadian squashed the chance before goalkeeper Yan Sommer had to be called into action.
Bayern found themselves in a little bit of trouble in the 38th minute.
A back pass to Sommer gets mishandled and pick up by PSG at the top of the box. With Sommer way off his line, Vitinha plays the ball to a wide-open net.
But out of nowhere, Matthijs de Ligt comes storming in. The defender sweeps the ball right off the line before it can cross, erupting the crowd.
Put it Away
It didn’t take long for Bayern to break through in the second half.
Just 15 minutes after the break, Thomas Müller takes the ball off Marco Verratti at the top of his box. Leon Goretzka squares it to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who gives Bayern the 1-0 advantage. It’s his second goal of the Champions League campaign
Sommer would get called into action in the 64th minute as Sergio Ramos bangs a header on frame. Sommer extended to his left to make the heroic save.
Some late substitutions from manager Julian Nagelsmann would make their mark. João Cancelo drove up the right flank in the 89th minute. He played a threaded through ball to Serge Gnabry who would bury the opportunity and expand the lead to two.
Bayern would maintain the advantage and advance 3-0 on aggregate.
They’ll await the quarterfinal draw on Friday, March 17.
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