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PSG-Bayern: the ratings of Parisian players

2020-08-23T21:55:16.067Z


Under constant pressure from Bayern during the Champions League final, PSG ended up giving in in the second half (0-1) without success


You don't change a team that has just won. With the impression left during the very clear 3-0 against Leipzig in the semifinals, Thomas Tuchel has renewed the same team. With one exception, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, recovered from a small injury to the thigh against Atalanta Bergamo in the quarterfinals.

As the previous day's training had confirmed, the Costa Rican felt capable of holding his place. In midfield, Marco Verratti, lacking in rhythm, remained on the bench and the German manager preferred to maintain his confidence in the trio which had made a good impression against Leipzig, despite Idrissa Gueye's return from injury.

The sidelining of Mauro Icardi also brought the club's classic 4-3-3 up to date. With a plan tailor-made by Tuchel to exploit Bayern's flaws in depth: a low, compact block, and extremely rapid folds when the ball is lost. The chances and the strength of the first half showed what this game plan could have brought to the opening against the fittest team on the continent. Only, the PSG lacked realism against and finished rinsed.

Navas: 6. The three-time winner of the event with Real Madrid immediately reassured his physical abilities, despite a first failed kick (2nd). He was saved by his post on a pivot strike from Lewandowski (22nd). He managed a decisive tap on a close-range header from the competition's top scorer (31st). Decisive until Coman's goal over which he can do nothing.

Kehrer: 4. Bayern Munich had decided to insist strongly on his side and the German was on the verge of breaking down, already, at the very end of the first half, when he withdrew his hand which was holding Coman or at the very last moment to avoid a penalty (45th + 1). While he had been rather solid in the first period, he ended up cracking by leaving too much field to Coman on the opener and forgetting to step up on this action.

Thiago Silva: 5. Calm and particularly well placed, first of all, tired at the end of the match and warned. The Brazilian captain has often come to Kehrer's area to lend him a hand. His interceptions, head or foot, preserved the surface of several dangerous situations. Too short, on the other hand, on the dangerous header of Lewandowski (31st) then on the goal of Coman. A frustrating outing.

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Kimpembe: 7. Sure of himself, to the point of attempting a few daring ball exits, the Parisian Titi managed the first period well and showed solidity in the air. His intervention on Müller is precious (44th). He showed impressive maturity and serenity in this context and left Paris in the match with a plunging header (61st).

Bernat: 5.5. The Spaniard has long performed a very solid performance against Gnabry, which he controlled well, especially in the one against one. He knows how to do a lot of things, even defending with a head on Lewandowski (41st). On his first release, he left too much room for Bayern to set up the decisive action. Injured and replaced by Kurzawa (79th).

Herrera: 5.5. First in the hard against the Bayern pressing, he then found incredible dangerous situations when he regained his composure. He could have given two assists on small balls in the wonderful intelligence area, to Di Maria (23rd) then Mbappé (45th). His half-volley at the entrance to the surface (29th), deflected, seemed promising. Replaced by Draxler (72nd).

Very restless on his right side, Angel Di Maria still lacked consistency. / AFP / David Ramos  

Marquinhos: 4. Once again in charge of filling in the gaps, he had mixed success. As PSG were determined to stay compact, they often backed down and left room for Munich midfielders. Like the rest of the midfield, he seemed to have drained in the second half when the Germans gained the upper hand, despite his attitude to try to get his team back up.

Paredes: 4. On the tails, the Argentinian has demonstrated to the whole of Europe his main quality: finding passes that no one else sees (14th and 15th), each time for Mbappé. On the face, he lacked consistency in circulation and recovery. Replaced by Verratti (65th), who seemed out of shape after his injury, except on the ultimate against Paris that he throws.

Di Maria: 4. The striker had an incredible goal ball (23rd) but he was on his right foot. From the left, things are often better, as on a good free kick (10th) or when he gives an equalizer to Marquinhos (70th). He nevertheless lacked consistency and helped too little the Parisian block against the waves. Replaced by Choupo-Moting (80th) who had the equalizer ball but did not convert it, this time (90th + 2).

Neymar: 3. The Brazilian was much less in sight than in the previous two rounds, but he would have opened the scoring without a miracle from Neuer, as he was thrown by Mbappé and slipped the ball between the legs of the keeper German (18th). Well muzzled and very uninspired, he never seemed able to tip over the final for Paris and should have better managed the last chance ball (90th + 2).

Mbappé: 4. His ball catches were watched like milk on fire by the Bayern defense. He always looked for the feat, wanting to go very quickly forward, alone or in deviation with his teammates in the attack. After his one-two with Herrera (45th), he hits too softly. Too messy, even though he was the most active attacker. Eternal regrets.

Neuer, the impassable wall of Munich

Side Bayern Munich, Hans-Dieter Flick reserved a surprise by lining up Kingsley Coman, only come into play in the two previous rounds, shortly after his return from a thigh injury. A winning choice, the French striker from Moissy-Cramayel (Seine-et-Marne) hurt his training club, before opening the scoring. If the Bavarian midfielder (Thiago Alcantara - Goretzka) was dominant, the other decisive player was Manuel Neuer, back at his best. In this shape it looks like it is the size of the entire goal. Two other French staff, Corentin Tolisso and Benjamin Pavard started the evening on the bench. The former Lyon midfielder took part in the party at the end of the meeting.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2020-08-23

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