Bayern Munich march into UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with PSG win
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was on target as Bayern Munich advanced to the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of the Cameroonian’s former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern won in Paris three weeks earlier, but were made to sweat in the first half at the Allianz Arena. Kylian Mbappe had already tested Yann Sommer when he put the ball in the net, only to be called back for fouling the Bayern goalkeeper in the build-up. Mbappe fired into the side netting soon after, before a superb triple block from Alphonso Davies, Matthijs de Ligt and finally Sommer prevented Lionel Messi from levelling the tie. That sparked a reaction of sorts from Bayern as Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich warmed the palms of Gianluigi Donnarumma, but they were indebted to de Ligt for being level on the night at the break. After a mistake in possession by Sommer, the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month nominee made a sublime goal-line clearance to thwart Vitinha.
The frenetic action continued into the second half as Davies got in the way of Mbappe’s goal-bound shot. Bayern responded in kind as Choupo-Moting was fended off by Danilo, before having a goal ruled out for an offside decision against Thomas Müller. The ex-PSG striker made it a case of third time lucky just past the hour, though, tapping in Leon Goretzka’s pass after Müller had dispossessed Marco Verratti to give Bayern daylight. Sommer preserved the Bundesliga leaders’ two-goal aggregate cushion with a sensational one-handed save from Sergio Ramos, who headed a golden chance off target in the closing stages. Substitutes Joao Cancelo and Serge Gnabry combined to put the result beyond any doubt, while Sadio Mane had a third effort chalked off as Julian Nagelsmann’s team marched into the quarter-final draw, their 100 percent winning record in this season’s competition intact.
Match stats
Choupo-Moting scored his 17th competitive goal of the season. He struck nine times in 51 games for PSG.
Nagelsmann’s Bayern have scored more goals than any team in Europe this season (106 across 35 games in all competitions).
Bayern have lost just six of their last 51 Champions League matches at the Allianz Arena, where they have scored at least once in their last 23 home games in the competition, and only failed to fire in two of their previous 51.
The win made it seven clean sheets in eight Champions League games so far this season for Nagelsmann’s side.
The six-time winners have reached at least the quarter-finals in 11 of the last 12 seasons, lifting the trophy twice.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (85) and Messi (77) have made more appearances in the Champions League knockout stages than Müller (65).
Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg Round of 16, 2nd leg Allianz Arena
90'
+ 5
Bayern go through
A solid night's work for the hosts who win 3-0 on aggregate to make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals. De Ligt saved a goal-bound shot in the first half while in the second, Choupo-Moting and Gnabry netted to send the Bundesliga giants into the tournament's last eight.
90'
+ 3
Mane denied
It was a top finish high into the net from the Senegalese, but he'd stepped too far ahead of the final pass into his feet and that one is chalked off.
90'
+ 1
Added time
We've begun the five minutes additional time at the Allianz Arena. The home fans are in full voice, as you'd expect.
90'
+ 1
Donnarumma denies Davies
Donnarumma saves with his legs after Davies blasted one at goal from the left.
89'
Gnabry settles it
That is that. Bayern are going through to the Champions League quarter finals. Gnabry latches onto a pass as Bayern counter and fires into the corner for 2-0 on the night, and 3-0 on aggregate.
Thomas Müller gives it the arms-lifting-in-the-air, get-the-atmosphere-going gestures as he comes off to be replced by Joao Cancelo. Serge Gnabry also comes on for Coman.
Sadio Mane is down by the touchline and readying to come on.
78'
Sane and out
Coman is away down the right and angles a super ball in for the onrushing Sane. With a defender in close proximity, the Bayern sub can only stumble wide.
Suddenly Bayern are galloping away on the counter. It's three-v-one with Coman, Sane and Musiala ready to kill this one off. A poor pass from Sane allows PSG to nip in and halt the charge.
67'
Bayern change
Nagelsmann removes the goalscorer and throws Sane into the mix.
Sommer is there again, getting down at his near post to gobble up Mbappe's dart at the target. A more straightforward but no less important save than his last one.
63'
Super Sommer!
What a save! PSG deliver the corner and Sergio Ramos leaps before applying one of his trademark headers at goal. The stadium falls silent for a moment. Sommer is watching it all the way and dives across before saving one-handed. That was a tremendous stop.
60'
Bayern break deadlock
There it is! PSG want to play it out at the back, but with Bayern breathing down their necks, that's always risky. Veratti is smothered by Müller, who feeds Goetzka. The midfielder rolls across to Choupo-Moting and the forward fires home. Bayern's fans are in raptures, but that was an awful goal to give away from a PSG perspective .
Bayern's players wheel away in celebration. The stadium goal music belts out. But as the party continues, a VAR check is ongoing. Müller wafted a leg at Choupo-Moting's nod towards goal, sending the ball flying past the PSG goalkeeper. Müller was a fraction offside.
50'
Danilo block
Musiala brilliantly beats Vitinho and he's away. The 20-year-old eyes Choupo-Moting and feeds him the ball. Danilo makes a last-gasp block to prevent the forward from getting a shot away.
48'
Mbappe chance
Vitinha, Messi and Mbappe look to carve an opening in the Bayern defence. The latter eventually thumps one at goal but sees his shot blocked.
46'
PSG swap
PSG make a change at the break with Mukiele, who previously came on for the injured Marquinhos, making way for Bitshiabu.
Playing as he has been of late, is it any wonder Bayern's hero tonight, Matthijs de Ligt, is among the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month contenders?
45'
Half time
That's the break. It's been fascinating watching; an intense game with chances at both ends. De Ligt's goal line clearance was the half's defining moment, however. PSG's Vitinho was just about to start his celebration run when Bayern's defender slid in to belt a goal-bound shot clear.
44'
Goretzka example
Messi sprints forward, but is soon given a bit of a shock by Goretzka, who arrives like a tank and shoulders the Argentinian off the ball. The crowd are on their feet in appreciation as Nagelsmann races from his bench demanding the same sort of energy from the rest of his players.
41'
Bayern on the move
Back we go up the other end and it's Davies in possession. The Canadian's cross is hooked out for a corner. Kimmich takes, PSG eventually clear their lines.
38'
De Ligt saves Bayern
This is the moment of the half so far. De Ligt has just saved Sommer's bacon, big style. The Bayern goalkeeper decided to test his skills, running the ball out towards the penalty area. He's soon caught and Vitinha shoots low at goal. It's in all the way, until De Ligt slides in to save Bayern's day, just as he did last weekend against Stuttgart.
35'
PSG switch
Bad news for PSG as their captain, Maquinhos, hobbles off injured. Mukiele sprints on while the captain's armband is passed to Mbappe.
The Bayern man stands over a free kick on the right flank. Plenty of options in the centre. Kimmich goes low, very low. The ball fizzes into the arms of Donnarumma. Was Kimmich going for goal there? Highly likely.
30'
Musiala goes close
Some good work from Davies, who feeds Musiala inside the area. The attacker spins and shoots from the left, Donnarumma gets down to palm wide. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.
Pace increasing
We've had six attacks for each side as this second leg starts to gain some much-needed pace.
This game is now open for business. Bayern flow forward with Coman, who dinks a pass into the centre. Donnarumma dives out to claim that one. Exciting times.
23'
How on earth???
Somehow, SOMEHOW, Bayern manage to keep Messi at bay. The PSG man is first tackled by Davies, then denied by a De Ligt block, and finally by Sommer's quick reactions. What a moment that was. Huge chance for the visitors.
19'
PSG again
Mbappe rasps a low shot from the right, from an impossible angle, into the side netting. This game is both tense and tight. A moment of brilliance will be needed to open it up.
17'
Messi appears
The FIFA World Cup winner pops up in the game to take a corner. His floating centre is plucked out of the sky by Sommer, who was unchallenged.
15'
Goretzka has a pop
A Bayern effort. Goretzka with it, and Donnarumma with an easy-ish save. That's got the home fans chanting again.
13'
Mbappe menace
Sommer and Mbappe race towards a loose ball. The goalkeeper collects, but is then body-checked by Mbappe, who cheekily collects the dropped ball and rolls it into the net. The referee's whistle had signalled a foul long before the PSG man poked in.
11'
Visitors shading it
Paris have had 53 per cent possession thus far while the game has produced just one shot twixt the posts, Mbappe's early drive into Sommer's grasp.
8'
Goretzka flexing
Sergio Ramos and Leon Goretzka smash into each other in the middle of the park. The PSG defender spins to the floor while Goretzka stays on his feet, staring down at his opponent. First blood in that particular battle to Bayern's midfielder.
6'
Paris probing
A momentary lull as PSG prod it around at the back, waiting for Bayern to move. The hosts are in no hurry and keeping their shape.
4'
Bayern's patience
The hosts respond. Coman, Musiala and Choupo-Moting combine to put pressure on the visiting defence. The move breaks down but PSG soon squander possession and Bayern are back on the attack.
2'
Mbappe sighter
Mbappe is quickly away down the left and Bayern are in a spot of bother. The France international shoots low, but Sommer is there to collect handily enough.
1'
Game on!
The ball is rolling in this Round of 16 second leg! The Allianz Arena is bouncing. Here we go ...
Champions League anthem
You know how the tune goes. Now's the time to sing along.
Teams out
We're edging ever closer to kick off now, with a spectacular atmosphere greeting both sets of teams as they make their way out onto the pitch.
Sommer in season
It's one more huge night for goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The Swiss shot stopper is no stranger to the Champions League, tonight representing his 36th game in the tournament (not counting qualifiers). With all of his experience, Sommer won't fear facing Messi, Mbappe and Co. but the goalkeeper will nonetheless be hoping his defensive wall does its job.
3:22
King Kingsley Coman
Scorer of the first-leg goal that currently separates these sides, Kingsley Coman was, of course, born in Paris. PSG's youngest-ever debutant at 16, the current Bayern hero has scored 35 goals in 174 Bundesliga games for his current club. Which one is your favourite?
3:32
Mane watch
Bayern's super Senegalese striker is recently returned from injury and takes his place on a pretty impressive subs bench for the home side here. No doubt we will see the world star in the thick of the action against PSG at some point at the Allianz Arena.
Stat attack!
How about this one for some feel-good, home-team vibes? Bayern have lost only one of their 27 UEFA ties in which they won the away first leg. History, it would seem, is on the hosts' side here this evening.
3:52
Choupo-Moting key?
What a season Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is having. The Bayern striker has netted ten Bundesliga goals to date this term (watch them above) and also has three in the Champions League. Will the 33-year-old mark the difference tonight?
PSG team news
PSG show three new additions to the team that began the first leg, with Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz on from the get-go and, of course, Mpbappe. Neymar misses out tonight, the Brazilian having picked up a long-term injury at the weekend.
Bayern team news
Julian Nagelsmann opts for the same XI that started last weekend's win in Stuttgart. Stanisic gets the nod in a three-man defence while up top, Müller and Musiala will look to provide the openings for in-form forward Choupo-Moting.
Sommer – Stanisic, Upamecano, de Ligt – Coman, Kimmich, Goretzka, Davies - Müller (c), Musiala – Choupo-Moting
Tale of the tape
It's very much a case of 'honours even' with these sides each having won six of their last 12 meetings in European competition. Bayern can boast a slight edge, however, with the Bundesliga giants triumphant in five of the sides' last seven meetings.
"Giving everything"
Home coach Julian Nagelsmann has been giving his thoughts ahead of tonight's mouthwatering encounter. "Both teams are at a similar level in terms of individual players," the tactician said. "Both have top stars in their ranks, but our group has a very good feeling of being there for each other and giving everything.”
All to play for
It's Round of 16, second-leg time in Bavaria and, lest we forget, tonight's hosts hold a 1-0 advantage from the corresponding fixture last Valentine's Day. Kingsley Coman was the man on target at the Parc des Princes just over three weeks ago.
A very warm welcome to what promises to be a spellbinding UEFA Champions League meeting between Bayern Munich and PSG!
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First-leg report
Kingsley Coman came back to haunt boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain as Bayern Munich won the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Bayern Munich Goals: 0-1Coman 53’ (assist: Davies) Red card:Pavard 90’+1
Having sailed through Champions League Group C with a 100 percent record, Bayern made a confident start in the French capital. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - on the opposing side when Bayern beat PSG in the 2019/20 final - set the tone with a fierce shot from range that flashed narrowly wide of the far post, before Joao Cancelo asked the question with a teasing cross that no one gambled on. Coman was unable to make more of a promising attack as Bayern got in behind the home defence for the first time, but very nearly set up the opening goal moments later. Choupo-Moting connected with the ex-PSG youngster’s back-post cross, only to send his backwards header off target. Bayern threatened through Coman once more in the closing stages of the first 45, a move that ended with Joshua Kimmich firing straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from 18 yards.
PSG tested the Bayern defence for the first time when Neymar tried to apply the finishing touch to Warren Zaire-Emery’s low cross, only for Dayot Upamecano to get his sizeable frame in the way. Bayern heeded the warning and duly forged ahead as Coman side-footed half-time substitute Alphonso Davies’ inch-perfect cross under the dive of Donnarumma. PSG coach Christophe Galtier’s response was to introduce Kylian Mbappe, but Bayern continued to carry the greater threat as Choupo-Moting made Donnarumma work with an acrobatic attempt, before turning Jamal Musiala’s low cross against the woodwork. A virtual spectator until the 74th minute, Yann Sommer pulled off a fine triple save to deny Mbappe and Neymar. Mbappe converted at the fourth attempt, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside. Mbappe had another effort chalked off as the Bundesliga leaders survived a mini onslaught - as well as Benjamin Pavard’s late sending off - to take a priceless lead back to Munich ahead of the second leg on 8 March.
