Despite the 8-2 win against Barcelona, Bayern coach Hansi Flick warned shortly before the kick-off: "We're starting from scratch again." After a moment of shock at the beginning, the Munich team decided the semi-final duel with Olympique Lyon this time thanks to individual class.
Lisbon (AP) - Driven by the brilliant double goalscorer Serge Gnabry, FC Bayern stormed the penultimate triple step into the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
After the 3: 0 (2: 0) on Wednesday evening, there will now be a rushing tournament highlight in Lisbon on August 23 (9:00 p.m. / ZDF / Sky and DAZN) at a test of strength with PSG stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Thomas Tuchel's team had demonstrated their class and title maturity in the 3-0 victory in the first Franco-German semi-final against RB Leipzig.
Bayern's Hansi Flick is seven years after the last triumph of Munich in Europe's premier class before the lightning crown to triple coach. The 55-year-old has already led his star ensemble, who was unbeaten this year, to the championship title and cup victory. One year after Jürgen Klopp with Liverpool FC, a German coach will definitely be holding the pot in his hands again.
Five days after the 8-2 in the quarter-finals against FC Barcelona, it was above all a Gnabry gala against the favorite scare Lyon. The national player paved the way for his team to the sixth Champions League final with a dream goal from around 18 meters (18th minute) and a goal (33rd). After the break, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer prevented the connection goal (58th) with a world-class foot parade against Toko Ekambi and that it was again tight for the somewhat negligent German record champions. The captain was also there for a shot from Houssem Aouar (83rd). Shortly before the end, the previously unhappy Robert Lewandowski made the final anticipation perfect with his 15th premier class goal of the season (88th).
Flick trusted the Barcelona conquerors - but they were almost shocked after less than five minutes. After Thiago lost the ball in midfield, Olympique captain Memphis Depay ran to Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer alone, but only hit the side netting (4th). Even closer to the lead was the always dangerous Ekambi, who failed at the post from close range (17th).
"We're starting from scratch again," Flick warned immediately before kick-off on Sky TV and revealed that he was "not quite so satisfied" with the previous day's training.
He couldn't be that with the first quarter of an hour of the game. Although Leon Goretzka had the first Bayern chance in the eleventh minute after a fine interaction with Robert Lewandowski, the Bavarians could clearly see the height of the fall at the beginning. Entering the game as a huge favorite, there was initially a lack of looseness, ease and precision. The former French series champion, on the other hand, acted courageously and rebelliously and seemed to have taken the momentum from the quarter-final win against Manchester City.
But then Gnabry performed magic for the first time - and the deficit demoralized Lyon noticeably. The extremely dynamic and explosive national player pulled in from the right side, shook off several opponents and hit the top corner after a great solo. The ingenious individual performance of Gnabrys, who had already scored four times in the group stage in the 7-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, put Bayern on the longed-for final course.
Driven by the outstanding Gnabry, the Munich team gained their sovereignty from the Barcelona game. Gnabry initiated the 2-0 win himself. The 25-year-old cleared Ivan Perisic, whose cross Lewandowski should have used. The Polish striker failed from close range to Olympique goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, which enabled Gnabry to score his ninth Champions League goal this season.
Lyon had lost momentum, the German double winner largely controlled the events in the quasi-empty stadium - but was endangered every now and then by the extremely high defense. After the break, Niklas Süle replaced Jérôme Boateng in defense, which could be interpreted as a precautionary measure for the final. Perisic had the 3-0 on the foot, but his conclusion was too weak (51.). The Bavarians went about their business a little carefree and were lucky that Neuer was there after just under an hour. Flick tried new offensive impulses and brought Kingsley Coman (63rd) and Philippe Coutinho (76th).
Both actually brought fresh momentum, but in defense, the Munich now afforded one or the other negligence - but they were no longer punished. On the contrary: Lewandowski removed all doubts with his late goal.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200819-99-232583 / 3
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