A primary-half header from Kim Min-jae guided Bayern Munich to a 1-0 house win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, damaging the French facet’s hopes of progressing within the Champions League.
The centre-back scored after an error from PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, beginning forward of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who spilled the ball into Kim’s path.
The South Korean’s effort was sufficient to resolve the rematch of the 2020 Champions League ultimate — received by Bayern by the identical scoreline — and all however extinguishes PSG’s hopes of a top-eight end and avoiding the playoff spherical.
Ousmane Dembele picked up a second yellow for an pointless problem with half an hour remaining, with Bayern efficiently shutting up store consequently.
“It was a particularly intense recreation,” Leon Goretzka stated to Amazon Prime.“You could possibly see within the beginning XI they had been going to attempt to maintain onto the ball and to check us with their urgent -– and we pushed to the top and it’s good we may very well be rewarded.”
With simply three video games remaining, even making the knockouts is just not a given for the French champions, who’re in twenty sixth spot — two exterior the playoff placings.
PSG host Manchester Metropolis in January together with going through tough away journeys to Purple Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart.
Bayern’s top-eight hopes look rosier after the win, which prolonged their run of fresh sheets to seven straight video games in all competitions.Bayern now sit eleventh and tackle relative European minnows Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava of their remaining video games.
– Enrique’s ‘selections’ –Either side got here into the sport unbeaten and 6 factors clear of their home leagues however in dire want of factors in Europe.Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted for the velocity of Leroy Sane over the creativity of France winger Michael Olise up entrance.
PSG boss Luis Enrique made 5 modifications to his facet however most notable was his resolution to stay with goalkeeper Safonov, fairly than Donnarumma, who had performed all however one Champions League recreation this season.
Luis Enrique defended his name earlier than the sport, telling reporters: “I make my selections based mostly on what I see on the pitch and what’s finest for the group.”
The choice appeared to repay early, with Safonov accountable for good saves from Jamal Musiala and Sane contained in the opening 12 minutes.
Kingsley Coman, the PSG academy product who scored the one aim within the 2020 ultimate, nearly broke the impasse shortly afterwards, dribbling by 5 defenders and blasting simply large.
After PSG had just a few alternatives of their very own, together with Joao Neves’ long-range effort whistling previous the goalpost on 33 minutes, the Russian goalkeeper made a mistake which led on to the opener.
Joshua Kimmich swung in a nook on the 38-minute mark which Safonov spilled.
And Kim took benefit to energy a header into the online for the primary Champions League aim of his profession.
Bayern had been joyful to let the sport come to them within the second half however Dembele’s second yellow — his first had come for dissent — took the steam out of PSG’s hopes of a comeback.
AFP
