Special envoy to Lisbon
“It's a pleasure to compete with the best,” says Hansi Flick. The German coach of Bayern Munich will be served as his players will face Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and PSG on Sunday (9 p.m.), in the final of the Champions League. A gala poster at the end of which the German champions could be crowned kings of Europe for the sixth time in their history, the first since 2013. “We are playing against the best at this stage of the C1. Paris is a great team. We are ready to give even more when we measure ourselves against the best, ”still promises the former world champion, in place since November, during the traditional press conference on the eve of the match.
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How Bayern will play on Sunday remains to be seen. With a block as high and as much space in the back of the defense as usual? It almost cost the Germans dearly against Lyon (3-0), in the semi-finals, with several clear situations for the Gones in the first quarter of an hour ... And it could be even risky against the Parisian arrows. But Bayern is not going, does not want to adapt. Rather try to impose what has been its strength in recent months, namely this positioning so high on the ground. “They have a lot of speed, a top team with two extraordinary players, notes coach Flick. It will be a very interesting game. But these last ten months, we have always imposed our philosophy by playing attractive football, we have always pressed very high. It has been the key to our success. So we don't want to change much… ”
With Boateng, without Pavard?
Note that Jerome Boateng and Benjamin Pavard participated in the day's session, at the Estadio da Luz. For a place in the eleven, we can guess that the French, just back from injury, starts further than his German partner, affected in the semi-finals. One thing is certain: players who are not 100% will not start. “It's the third game in no time. We must take into account the level of form, he assures, highlighting the good returns of Kingsley Coman or Philippe Coutinho. We will make sure to put the right team on the ground. ”
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If he starts with the idea of imposing his game plan despite the qualities of the opponent, Flick is however not oblivious. Franz Beckenbauer believes that Paris has no real weakness. “I agree with him, admits Hansi Flick. It's a top team, with speed, experience, top players especially in attack but also in defense, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos ... In the Champions League, they only conceded five goals, that's the best defense. We have a plan, a project, we hope to execute it tomorrow (Sunday). It's not every season that we reach the final. The joy is great and we will try to show our best face. It is only if we are all 100% that we will be able to win. "
"I really appreciate Tuchel on a human level and for his knowledge of football"
Hansi flickEspecially if it is a question of competing against an entire country, Qatar in this case. “Until further notice, Paris is in France,” he corrects, in response to a question from a German media on the subject. We are happy to play against one of the best teams in the world, with a coach who has a very good playing philosophy. It's a challenge for us, the whole team. I'm happy to see Thomas Tuchel tomorrow, I appreciate him a lot on a human level and for his knowledge of football. It's PSG against Bayern, nothing more. " And it's not so bad already ...
Kimmich: "A balanced match between two top-level teams"
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern defender / midfielder) : “We prepared as we always do before a Champions League match. We'll have one less day off. But there is a great atmosphere and everyone is happy to play this final. As far as I'm concerned, I've never played a C1 final. I am all the more excited! (...) There is no more prestigious title at club level. Unfortunately, it will be without enduring ... But it is a great opportunity to be seized. The previous generation first lost a final before winning one. We want to do it on the first try. This competition is in any case unique ... The anthem is magic. We feel it's special on the pitch. In addition, with Bayern, we often go far. This time, we are in the final. We want to win it. (...) We expect a balanced match, between two top-level teams, who deserved to be there. (on the last PSG-Bayern, in 2017) A lot has changed since then. This is not a very good point of comparison. (on Bayern's high block) They are very strong in attack, obviously. But I don't think we're going to stay too low. (…) Flick sees the human being behind the player and we can feel him in the group. ( in press conference )
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