Champions League

Seven places where PSG v Bayern may be won and lost

One of the most anticipated finals in years is hard to call, but there's certain tactical elements which will decide the outcome

2:15pm on Sunday 23rd August 2020
By
Michael Plant

Sunday’s Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich has all the makings of a classic.

Two attack-minded sides, packed full of world-class stars and led by innovative

managers, are set to lock horns in Lisbon. But in a game of such magnitude, even the smallest of margins could decide the outcome, and the approaches of Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick will be endlessly scrutinised during the post-match

analysis.

We will look at seven key tactical factors that could ultimately be pivotal in determining which club lift the most-coveted prize in European football.

Space in behind

Despite Bayern’s excellent performances in the last two rounds, the Germans’ high defensive line ceded plenty of chances to Barcelona and Lyon. However, playing against the raw pace and trickery of Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Kylian

Mbappe is an entirely different matter.

If the PSG trio are given the same sort of opportunities, the Ligue 1 outfit will almost certainly find the back of the net, probably on several occasions. This leaves Flick with an awkward dilemma: tinker with the system that has seen Bayern win 20 consecutive games in all competitions? Or accept the risks posed by PSG’s attackers and attempt

to outscore them?

Possession Retention

In the one-legged Champions League games, Bayern’s midfield have tended to dictate proceedings. When Thiago, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller get on the ball, it can spell trouble for the opposition, who often struggle to retrieve it.

Therefore, when PSG do win the ball in the centre of the park, they’ll need to hold on to it. Should they achieve that, Bayern are susceptible on the counter-attack, as Lyon’s Maxence Caqueret displayed on Wednesday when one pass cut through the Bavarian’s backline and slipped Memphis Depay in on goal.

The same will be required of Marquinhos, Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes (or Marco Verratti, if he is fit to play) this weekend on what could be an exhausting night’s work.

Left-back discipline

Both Alphonso Davies and Juan Bernat love to advance down the left flank for Bayern and PSG respectively, yet on Sunday they’ll come up against two particularly problematic customers in Angel Di Maria and Serge Gnabry.

Giving either winger space and time on the ball could, and almost certainly will, prove to be a problem and Davies and Bernat could be advised to exercise a tad more caution at the Estadio da Luz.

On the other hand, both sides’ offensive patterns would be seriously impacted without an adequate out ball on the left flank. For the two full-backs, picking the right moments to attack, and ensuring the hole created by their absence is filled, will be a crucial part of Sunday’s encounter.

Stopping Neymar

While Neymar’s finishing has left much to be desired since the Champions League’s return, his creativity and movement have been sensational.

Thee Brazilian’s ability to ghost in from the left flank and find pockets of space in the No. 10 position gave Atalanta and RB Leipzig repeated problems.

Neymar also has a habit of dropping the shoulder, nutmegging an opponent and slipping the ball into a team-mate within a matter of seconds. The role of stopping him will most likely be shared by Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka, and

silencing the former Barcelona man may be easier said than done for the pair.

Beating the Press

Bayern profited from opposition lapses in defence during their victories over Barcelona and Lyon, yet that was certainly no fluke. The Germans’ ability to collectively hunt and press their opponent is exceptional and is proving to

be, as Jurgen Klopp would say, ‘the best playmaker in football’.

To beat it, PSG must either flawlessly and rapidly play their way out from the back, or ensure they have sufficient avenues further up the pitch.

Muller v Marquinhos

If one man is the beating heart of this seamlessly efficient Bayern machine, it’s Muller. The 30-year-old’s capacity to link midfield and attack is excellent, while he is often the man providing the final pass for a goal. Stop him and you might be able to stop Flick’s side.

That’s where Marquinhos comes in. Yet, even with his range of defensive skills and physicality, the Brazilian will need to be at the top of his game if he’s to slow Muller down.

Goalkeepers

If there’s one game you want to be able to call on your first-choice goalkeeper, it’s the Champions League final. Sadly for PSG, that’s a luxury they may not have on Sunday, with Keylor Navas suffering from a hamstring problem. Should the Costa Rican miss out, PSG will instead turn to Sergio Rico.

Either way, Bayern would be wise to test whichever goalkeeper starts in the Portuguese capital and pounce on any weakness or apprehension.

Latest news

Sheffield United vs Fulham Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Sheffield Utd and Fulham on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 8 hours

Chelsea vs Burnley Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Chelsea and Burnley on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 9 hours

Newcastle vs West Ham Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Newcastle and West Ham on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 9 hours

Lille vs Lens Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Ligue 1 tie between Lille and Lens on Friday, March 29th 2024 from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

  • 12 hours

Cadiz vs Granada Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the La Liga Primera clash between Cadiz and Granada on Friday, March 29th 2024 from Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

  • 12 hours

Barnsley vs Cambridge United Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL League One game between Barnsley and Cambridge United on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 13 hours

Most read