Lisbon (AFP)
Bayern Munich dreams of a sixth crown, Paris SG hopes to finally lift the trophy: the final of the Champions League, Sunday in Lisbon (9:00 p.m.), offers a planetary shock between two talented and impatient contenders ... that everything separates .
When PSG celebrated its semi-final won by spreading its happiness on social networks, in front of supporters, the Bavarian club went directly to take refuge in its base camp, far from the crowd, after its qualification.
"We were very happy, but we are preparing the real celebration for the final, if we win it", admitted the Munich winger Kinsgley Coman, trained at PSG.
Between the champion of France, recent football power which is taking full advantage of an unprecedented course in its 50 years of history, and Bayern, the aristocrat concentrated until he gets what he wants, c 'is a war of the worlds that the "Final 8" gave birth.
From the economic model to the image, from the prize list to the management of the coronavirus pandemic, Parisians and Munich residents are opposed on almost every front.
The operation of Bayern, which is an example of the club managed "in the old way" without spending more than it earns, goes against that of PSG, which has benefited from the massive investment of its Qatari owner (arrived in 2011) by flirting with the limits of financial fair play.
- Bayern big favorite -
But on the ground, it is above all a dream poster. "There are always a lot of goals with these great teams. It makes the viewers happy," admitted Bavarian goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
On the one hand, the “Rekordmeister”, victorious in his last 21 matches, is aiming for the treble, having already pocketed the Bundesliga and the German Cup this summer. His card against FC Barcelona (8-2), in the quarterfinals, made him the big favorite for the final title.
On the other hand, PSG gained momentum during their stay in Lisbon, despite injuries and the lack of competition due to the anticipated end of their Championship in March. The duo formed by Kylian Mbappé and Neymar makes him capable of beating anyone.
"It's a very special format, which we will remember with the context of the tragedy (of the Covid-19, Editor's note). We know that this edition is very important. It will remain in history": assured Mbappé , which measures how unique the opportunity to enter the legend of French sport is. Because only one French club has lifted the cup with big ears, the Olympique de Marseille in 1993.
On paper, the 2019-2020 season found a climactic ending, after several months that upset its functioning. But it is also Bayern which is preferred by bookmakers.
"We have more better players at all levels than at the time," said Neuer, comparing the current squad to that of 2013, the year of the last European title of the Bavarians of which he is one of the last survivors.
- Neymar in great shape -
The crazy statistics of the Munich, who score more than four goals per game in C1 this season, make them a winning machine. The Polish Robert Lewandowski, top scorer in the competition (15 goals), has a season (55 goals in all) that would place him among the favorites for the Ballon d'Or, if the pandemic had not been right for the 2020 trophy.
Hansi Flick's men remain on a rather controlled half against Lyon (3-0), even if the opportunities conceded to OL at the start of the match gave a glimpse of some flaws, in particular the positioning too high of a team very focused on the attack.
From these spaces, Neymar and Mbappé could make their honey. "This is our strong point, clearly," admitted PSG coach Thomas Tuchel, praising the one-on-one qualities of "Ney" and the speed of "Kyky" which complement each other.
In great shape this summer, the Brazilian superstar has the opportunity to justify the 222 million euros paid when he was recruited to FC Barcelona in 2017.
This first C1 final in its history has already dismissed the specter of the European "curse" that the supporters feared, even if Paris still have some doubts before the final, about the uncertain goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
© 2020 AFP