On Wednesday evening, all eyes will be on the Allianz Arena in Munich. A stadium which will be the scene of the semi-final second leg of the Champions League between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. After a breathtaking first act at the Parc des Princes, spectators are hoping to get their money’s worth. Especially since tickets for the meeting are sold at a high price. Some are resold for crazy sums on the secondary market. Prices ranging from 1,400 to 8,000 euros were mentioned on Friday. It is certain that no football match deserves to spend such an amount. But for the clash between the Bavarians and the Parisians, some risk doing crazy things. And if this shock is like in the last matches of the two teams, the owners of the precious seeds will see goals.
After scoring 5 against the Germans on Wednesday in the first leg, the French club scored 2 during the weekend against Lorient (2-2). For their part, the Munich residents, who had sent 4 to the back of Matvey Safonov’s net, scored 3 in the 3-3 draw on Saturday against Heidenheim. As usual, the Germans, equipped with offensive firepower notably with the trio Luis Diaz-Harry Kane-Michael Olise, piled up the goals. This will be one of their assets to bring down Paris on Wednesday in front of their home crowd. On the other hand, the German defense is not so reassuring. Certain elements had already been singled out last Tuesday, such as Manuel Neuer, Josip Stanisic and Alphonso Davies.
The German defense is seriously worrying
All this is very worrying, especially since we will have to be solid at the back against a formidable offensively Ile-de-France team. This Monday, Kicker explains that a “avalanche of goals conceded worrying before the return match against PSG”. The German publication continues: “After their 4-5 defeat in France, the German champions must win by at least one goal to secure extra time. It would also be the first time in history that Bayern Munich managed to reverse the situation in the semi-final of the Champions League after losing the first leg. With an attack consisting of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, the prospects have never been more promising and their confidence higher than ever. The number of goals conceded – 11 in the last 3 matches – is worrying, but this should not lead to a change in playing style immediately.
Kicker continues: “Who will make the difference in the duels? If Bayern fail, they will be overwhelmed by the speed of Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as in the first leg. With their high pressing and individual talents, Bayern Munich are far too strong for any Bundesliga opponent. But it also shows that things can quickly go wrong if there is a lack of clarity. Scoring one more goal than your opponent is never a given (…) Kompany will line up his starting lineup in front of his home crowd. The only question that remains is whether Alphonso Davies will start again or whether Konrad Laimer will regain his place in the starting XI. The Austrian’s advantage lies in the fact that PSG will be deprived of the speed of the injured Achraf Hakimi, but the sprinter Davies could be essential against DĂ©sirĂ© DouĂ©.
11 goals conceded in the last 5 matches
Bayern Munich therefore still has some hesitations, but intends to muzzle PSG. This will be one of the keys to the match, as will being efficient up front. The club’s sporting director, Max Eberl is convinced that his team must play to its strengths, having responded to criticism concerning the number of goals conceded by Vincent Kompany’s troops. “You can’t change the fundamental DNA of a team, and we don’t want to, that’s what explains our success. And the match against Paris on Tuesday was, to put it bluntly, absolutely brilliant! This is what makes football so special. But it is clear that we must score at least one goal more than our opponent on Wednesday. And ideally two, to qualify us. On Tuesday, the attackers made fewer errors than the defense, or perhaps even some midfielders, made only one or two. It was a very open match. I can’t say yet what will happen on Wednesday. »
Asked by SKy GermanyLothar Matthäus, believes that the Munich people have everything to win. “I saw Bayern’s domination, especially in the last 20 to 25 minutes. If they had executed their attacks better, they should not have lost. They imposed their physical game with great force, as in every match. In my opinion, they are also physically stronger than PSG, because the latter defended with boundless energy. That’s why I think Bayern – and I’m not being patriotic, I’m just seeing what I’ve seen this season – look stronger. At home, with this support, they also turned the tide against Real Madrid and qualified. So I think Bayern Munich will win this match and reach the final in Budapest.” The attack will be heard but also the defense on Wednesday evening against Paris.
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