Champions League final: last step against Bayern Munich for PSG

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

5 mins

Paris Saint-Germain is just one step away from its first Champions League coronation. But this Sunday, August 23, the Parisians will have to beat Bayern Munich, a European monster, in the race for a sixth Cup with big ears.

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On the one hand, there is the ambitious PSG, who is aiming for the first Champions League in its history, and on the other hand Bayern Munich, five-time winner and the last representative of the aristocracy of continental football. In Lisbon on Sunday evening, the final promises to be thrilling for this Franco-German duel.

For Paris, it will be an opportunity to prove that the millions of euros spent since the arrival of the Qataris were worth it. Like this disproportionate purchase of the star Neymar whose transfer is valued at € 222 million. After a decade of massive investments in French football, investors from Qatar await the second star since the coronation of Marseille in 1993.

The return of the wounded?

With a victory on the wire against Atalanta Bergamo (2-1), the teammates of Marquinhos displayed their collective strength against Leipzig (3-0) in the semifinals. And after losing back to back to injury Layvin Kurzawa, Verratti, Keylor Navas and Idrissa Gueye, the news is reassuring about their possible participation in the final.

Marco Verratti, midfielder present in the workforce since 2012 will "  do everything  " to play the first Champions League final in the history of the French club. Entered into play in the 83rd minute against Leipzig after having withdrawn in the quarters, the Italian assured that he was going “  better  ” on Thursday during a press conference by videoconference from the Lisbon hotel of the PSG. “  It's an incredible feeling to be in the final. I have been here for eight years. It was hard before, it's normal because in the Champions League, it's always like that. This year, so far, we have had an incredible journey. Now we have 90 minutes left, the most important in our football career and in club history  , ”he said.

Neymar's time?

In this final, there will also be Neymar against Robert Lewandowski for the symbolic status of best player in the world. The Brazilian is now in great shape, he who had experienced big physical problems the two previous seasons. In 2019, he notably missed the knockout round of the Champions League against Manchester United who saw the capital club fail for the third consecutive season at this stage of the competition.

There will also be the reunion of Kylian Mbappé with his teammates world champions Kingsley Coman, trained in Paris and now in the workforce of the Bavarian club. It will also be the first for Parisian coach Thomas Tuchel, a novice at this stage of the competition. “  Tuchel does a great job in Paris. His team is doing very well, he is doing an exceptional job. I am delighted to see him this Sunday,  ”complimented his counterpart Flick, after Bayern's victory against Lyon. “  Paris has an attack with big names. There are always a lot of goals with Bayern and PSG. Two great teams in this final, it pleases the viewers. We are very happy with this final,  ”says Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Bayern Munich in search of the sixth coronation!

After trampling on FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals (8-2), Munich hinted at some rare weaknesses against Lyon (3-0), who provided clear opportunities by playing behind the defense. It could be an advantage for the Parisians with the lightning speed of Kylian Mbappé and the millimeter passes of Neymar in transition?

“  We watched the game together. It's a very strong, very physical team, with quality players. They are used to playing these types of matches. They deserve to be there,  ”comments Marco Verratti. Scorer in the quarters and semi-finals, Marquinhos hopes to do it again in the final. "  We are here to make history, we have already taken a big step, one remains to be done,  " says the defender who has been playing in Paris since 2013.

Since the creation of the Champions League in 1955, Bayern Munich, founded in 1900, has already played ten C1 finals. If he won the 11th Sunday against Paris, the Bavarian club could join Liverpool with six titles. The last Champions League won by Munich dates back to 2013 with Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Javi Martinez ... all still here in 2020! Bayern remains the big favorite in this final and Paris will indeed be looking for the feat.

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