Lisbon (AFP)
Robert Lewandowski's Bayern Munich have been waiting for this for a long time, Paris SG and Neymar too: the Champions League final, Sunday in Lisbon (19:00 GMT), offers a planetary clash 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 Munich winger Kinsgley Coman.
Between PSG, a 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, it is of a war of the worlds that the "Final 8" gave birth to.
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.
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.
- Bayern stronger than in 2013? -
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.
On paper, the 2019-2020 season therefore found a climax in its climax, after several months which upset its functioning. On paper, 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.
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.
- Focus on Neymar -
From these spaces, Neymar and Kylian 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.
Like Neymar's transfer at a gold price, the owners of PSG did not skimp on the means to reach the Grail of a Champions League.
This first C1 final in its history has already dismissed the specter of the European "curse" that the supporters feared, even if Paris still has to reckon with some doubts before the final, about Keylor Navas and Marco Verratti, uncertain.
"We have 90 minutes left, the most important in our football career and in the history of the club," said Verratti, aware that a title will tip PSG into another world.
© 2020 AFP