Champions League: Bayern Munich eliminates Lyon and goes to the final

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

3 min

Bayern Munich eliminated Olympique Lyonnais thanks to a brace from Serge Gnabry and a goal from Robert Lewandowski. The Bavarians will face Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday 23 August for a Franco-German final.

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In Lisbon, Lyon hoped to join Paris Saint-Germain, triumphant winner of RB Leipzig (3-0), for a historic Champions League final between French clubs. But for that, it was necessary to rule out Bayern Munich, big favorite, after a flawless run during this 2019-2020 edition.

Karl Toko-Ekambi lacking success

Facing the Bavarians, the Olympique Lyonnais was at the foot of a real Everest. After Juventus Turin and Manchester City, the club from the capital of Gaul wanted to do a third feat. And OL, underdog, appeared in front of Bayern with the same starting lineup as that which eliminated Manchester City in the quarter-finals. Coach Rudi Garcia maintained his system in 3-5-2 which allowed OL to succeed in their last two exploits. In attack, Karl Toko-Ekambi retained his place alongside Memphis Depay, to the detriment of Moussa Dembélé, author of a double against City.

Memphis Depay lit the first fuse on a block with a ball that ends in the side net. Lyon tries their luck in the first twenty minutes while Bayern does not show the superiority displayed against Barça. In the 17th minute, Karl Toko-Ekambi completely opened the scoring at the end of the foot but touched the post. Lyon missed two opportunities that could perhaps change the game. The scenario is cruel for OL.

Because the Bavarian ogre who started his Lisbon stay with a banquet against FC Barcelona (8-2), is discreet and messy in defense. But at the first opportunity, Bayern, which leaves openings for its opponent, is there. Serge Gnabry scored the first goal of the game with a magnificent strike from the unstoppable left (18th).

Gnabry the man of the evening

Bayern made a success of the break in the 33rd minute again thanks to Serge Gnabry, who struck with his left foot a ball rejected by the Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, on a volley by Robert Lewandowski. Gnabry, nine goals this season in C1, is very close to a treble in the 38th minute. Then the Bavarians just have to wear down the Lyonnais and the defense put in place by Rudi Garcia. In the second period, Karl Toko-Ekambi misses another opportunity in a face-to-face meeting against German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (58 ').

Winners of their last twenty matches, the teammates of Robert Lewandowski, top scorer in the C1 this season (15 goals) who scored the last Bavarian goal of the evening (88th), had in their sights their first European title since 2013, tripled at stake like seven years ago. It was therefore necessary to oust Lyon, considered the Petit Poucet.

Since 2013, Bayern Munich had each time been eliminated in the semi-finals. The German club has one last step against Paris Saint-Germain to lift the Cup with big ears for a sixth time.

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