The thick layer of pollution, the immense cloud of fine particles under which the French capital has lived for days, put PSG to sleep yesterday, who fell 0-1 against Bayern Munich. When the Parisians finally reacted, after Kylian Mbappé's departure onto the field, in the second half, it was already too late. They were able to turn the game around, but their effort against the clock went unpaid due to a bit of bad luck.
Bayern showed that they have Champions League genes, not in vain do they have six trophies in their showcases. The Bavarians could have sentenced the game because they had opportunities to do so. In the end they had to settle for a minimal but very valuable victory. Going to the quarterfinals is within their reach. Closer than before.
The first half was almost completely dominated by the Bavarian team, which created danger incessantly from the first minute, and had several clear chances to score, the most obvious being a low shot by Kimmich in the 42nd minute that was saved by Donnarumma. Galtier's men did not kick once on goal, except for Messi's free kick already in the 45th minute and he rejected the barrier. They did not throw a corner either.
The Parisian defense was often inaccurate, forced into errors by Bavarian pressure. Those from Munich stole a lot of balls in midfield and lined up well back the few times it was necessary.
Messi offered some flashes of class, with his changes of pace and forays, but insufficient and without support. Neymar, more theatrical than effective, found himself involved in several fouls with Pavard, who saw a yellow card and then ended up sent off.
In the second half, Kimpembe replaced Achraf, in an attempt to strengthen the right flank of the defence, where PSG had been very vulnerable. The locals reacted and finally caused a corner. Perhaps to stop the Parisian reaction, the Bayern fans, stationed in a corner of the southern goal, lit flares and smoke invaded the Parc des Princes for a few minutes.
The local recovery was soon cut short. Bayern's goal came in the 53rd minute from a Davies cross that Coman finished off at will. A hard blow for the PSG fans because the player was trained at the club. The fate suffered by so many great teams.
Galtier reacted immediately to try to turn the situation around. He sent Soler and Zaire to the locker room. Fabián and Mbappé entered. The Parc des Princes emitted a roar of hope, convinced that Bondy's could perform the miracle, as so often. But the Germans, doing their thing, returned to besiege Donnarumma's door, who excelled by deflecting two very dangerous shots from Choupo-Moting and a header from Pavard, finishing off a corner kick, which he hit the post.
In the 72nd minute, PSG's best play to date took place, with an incursion by Mbappé and his shot, two consecutive shots by Neymar, and the last Mbappé, who scored, but offside. The 7 of Paris was acting as a revulsive.
In the 82nd minute, another disallowed goal for Mbappé, who had made an excellent combination with Nuno Mendes. The latter was left offside. Shortly after, a shot from Messi was miraculously deflected by Pavard.
PSG continues to sow doubts and is going through a downturn. We will have to wait for the fine particles to escape and the sky in Paris to clear up.
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi (Kimpembe, m.46), Ramos, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery (Fabian Ruiz, 57), Verratti, Danilo (Vitinha, 75), Soler (Mbappé, 57); Neymar, Messi
Bayern Munich: Sommer; Pavard, De Ligt, Upamecano; Sané (Stanisic, m.90), Kimmich, Goretzka, Cancelo (Davies, m.46); Coman (Gnabry, m.75), Musiala (Gravenberch, m.87); Choupo-Moting (Muller, m.75)
Goals: 0-1, m.53: Coman
Referee: Michael Olivier (ING), admonished Kimpembe (70), Neymar (87) and sent off Pavard (92) for a double yellow
Incidents: First leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League played in the Parc des Princes in Paris before 45,000 spectators. A minute of silence was observed for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
