Christophe Galtier’s PSG side trailed Bayern Munich as they headed to Bavaria – and the second leg would pose an even greater challenge for the Parisians who have lost Neymar through injury. However, Mbappe was fit enough to start in Munich – and he posed an immense threat to Josip Stanisic, who had been called in to replace the suspended Benjamin Pavard.
BAY: Sommer; Davies, De Ligt; Upamecano, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Muller, Coman; Choupo-Moting
PSG: Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Ramos, Pereira; Mendes, Fabian, Verratti, Vitinha, Hakimi; Mbappe, Messi
A fairly end-to-end start to the game saw PSG benefit from the better chances – notably when Mbappe broke through the Bayern defence with just under 20 minutes played, but the Frenchman’s cross back into the box hit the side netting to bring an end to the attack.
Bayern Munich’s defence was threatened again by Lionel Messi five minutes later, with a flurry of chances falling to the Argentinian magician in the centre of the box – but ultimately Yann Sommer was able to smother the ball and kill the threat.
PSG were dealt another injury blow in the 35th minute as Marquinhos was forced off through a back injury, replaced by Nordi Mukiele who had enormous boots to fill given the Brazilian’s complex role during the opening half an hour or so.
Mattijs De Ligt did sensationally well to preserve his side’s advantage after Yann Sommer clumsily gave the ball away, allowing Vitinha to get a shot off – but the Dutch defender’s goal-line clearance kept Bayern ahead on aggregate. The hosts then surged forwards for a chance of their own, with Goretka finding Alphonso Davies on the left – though the Canadian took too long and eventually Mukiele sent the ball out for a corner.
Galtier made one substitution at half-time, with 17-year-old El-Chadaille Bitshiabu replacing Nordi Makuele – who had only played ten minutes himself after replacing the injured Marquinhos. With two of his five permitted substitutions used, the Frenchman’s tactical decisions would certainly prove to be interesting as the game drew on.
Eric Choupo-Moting wheeled away in celebration after heading home to open the scoring at the Allianz Arena – but a VAR check saw the goal chalked off after it was decided that the offside Thomas Muller had attempted to make contact with the ball, potentially misleading the keeper in the process.
The ex-PSG striker would get the chance to redeem himself minutes later, after Muller dispossessed Verratti before playing in Goretzka, who in turn squared it to Choupo-Moting. The Cameroonian international made no mistake with his finish, and sent the ball crashing past Donnarumma to double Bayern’s aggregate advantage.
Sommer was called into action soon after Choupo-Moting’s strike, denying Sergio Ramos’ header after the Spanish defender had managed to get on the end of Lionel Messi’s corner. PSG forced another save from the Swiss international, as Kylian Mbappe unleashed a left-footed strike towards the near post.
A PSG corner would evolve into a great chance for the hosts, as Coman surged forwards and found Leroy Sane. Rather than playing in Alphonso Davies, the German winger opted to return the ball to Coman – though that pass was intercepted and sent behind by Nuno Mendes, who had done exceptionally well to recover quickly.
Despite chances for both sides, it was Bayern’s Serge Gnabry who netted next – just three minutes after coming on. His 89th minute low strike sealed victory for the hosts, who progress to the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win on aggregate.
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