The meeting was full of history and promise after a first leg match that instantly became legendary. Eight days earlier, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich had offered a stunning scenario ending with a spectacular (5-4), an offensive score which had ignited all of Europe. In a boiling Allianz Arena, the setting for the return seemed cut out for a Bavarian revolt and a stormy night for the Parisians. Deprived of a few executives but armed with their major talents, the two teams approached this second round with clear intentions. PSG, title holders, were no longer expected only on their game but on their ability to assume a new status. That of a team that knows how to suffer, control and change major events.
In this burning context, Paris responded with impressive maturity. Very quickly ahead in the score thanks to a perfect start, the Capital club imposed its tempo and dictated the rhythm of a meeting yet promised to be German fury. Without ever denying themselves, Luis Enrique’s men alternated high pressing and management sequences, muzzling the main Bavarian threats while remaining dangerous in each transition. This mastery, sometimes disrupted but never broken, symbolizes the evolution of a collective now accustomed to European summits. By snatching a draw in Bavaria (1-1), PSG validates a historic qualification for a second consecutive Champions League final and confirms that it has changed dimension on the continental scene. But the Parisian players were quick to applaud their evening opponents with class.
Parisians salute the Bavarians
In the corridors of the Allianz Arena, Parisian joy quickly mixed with a form of almost solemn respect. Because against Bayern Munich, nothing is ever trivial. This qualification also bears the mark of an immense opponent, of a double confrontation of a rare level and of a battle which forced PSG to draw on all its resources. More than just a simple success, Paris knows what it owes to the quality, intensity and European culture of the Bavarian giant. “Magical night again in Munich. We must congratulate them. These are matches that we dream of playing. We’re going to enjoy it. We’re going to concentrate. We want to remain humble. There are matches you can’t win all the time with magic and lots of goals. We still have to improve. We defended very well together. We have our supporters singing. We always hear them. We are lucky to have them. You have to stay humble. We have ambition», declared DĂ©sirĂ© DouĂ© at the microphone of Canal+. Same story for President Nasser al-KhelaĂŻfi: “it’s magnificent, two finals, we want to get the second star, I spoke with the players, we have warriors, we have a solid team, we came here to win, we have a lot of respect for Bayern who have great players, we created one of the great evenings for PSG here last year”.
Beyond the words, a whole symbol emerges. That of a PSG which recognizes the value of its rival, which measures the progress made against a European institution. Bayern never stopped pushing, believing, imposing their paw. And it is also in this adversity that Paris grew. “It’s always a pleasure to pass, even more so to reach the final. We are very proud of our journey, of what we have done here, of what we have done in the Champions League. It’s time to celebrate with our group, our family, everyone who helped us qualify. Playing against Bayern Munich is always difficult, they play well and they are a great team. We also know how to suffer and we are ready for what happens to us», added JoĂŁo Neves. A qualification that almost looks like a passing of the baton between two giants. Paris is moving forward, but without forgetting who pushed it to surpass itself. History is still written with a titi Parisian accent. See you in Budapest…
