Bayern claimed their sixth European title as they beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Lisbon on Sunday evening. Here are our talking points from the clash at the Alvalade.
Coman repays Flick’s faith
Coaches do not usually tinker with their lineups at the business end of a tournament, but Bayern gaffer Hansi Flick surprised one and all by starting with Kingsley Coman on the left wing in his 4-2-3-1 formation. Ivan Perisic had started against both Barcelona and Lyon, but Flick opted to give Coman, a PSG youth product himself, a start in this big final.
The 24-year-old repaid his coach’s faith by scoring the only goal of a tense final- a header on the hour mark.
Records galore for Bayern
This was Bayern Munich’s 6th European title, placing them level with Liverpool and just behind Real Madrid and AC Milan. They went eleven games unbeaten in the campaign- a tournament record, and Coman’s match winning strike was the Bavarian giants’ 500th Champions League goal- the most in the competition after Real.
Is this the start of a period of European domination for Bayern? Their key players are still young, and their transfer market business has been top notch- who would’ve expected Canadian Alphonso Davies to start in a final and win the biggest prize in European club football at the age of 19?
Hansi Flick has given them the treble after just half a season, and he will be keen to extend their dominance.
PSG fail at the final hurdle
Thomas Tuchel took this Paris SG side closer to the Champions League title than any of his predecessors (Ancelotti, Blanc, Emery) had. However, the last six first time-finalists in the CL had never won the title, and Paris became No.7 on that list in Lisbon. The ST site in their predictions had PSG as massive underdogs and rightfully so- Tuchel’s side gave a good account of themselves, but Bayern were deserving winners at the end.
Neuer a wall in goal
PSG’s story could’ve been different had Manuel Neuer not been in such inspired form in goal. He denied the French champions three very good chances- from Neymar, Mbappe and Marquinhos respectively. The Le Parisien newspaper called Neuer “le Mur de Munich” (the wall of Munich), and not without reason- he was the pick of the Bayern players.
Big players thrive on big occasions, and Neuer is certainly one of them. He now holds the rare distinction of keeping a clean sheet in both the World Cup and the Champions League finals.
Will the single-leg knockout format be adopted again?
The single-leg knockout format on neutral territory, forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, certainly added to the excitement of the Champions League this year. Would Lyon have been able to beat Man City over two legs? Perhaps not- the single leg format lends itself better to upsets. However, doing away with the home and away legs means taking out the fans of the respective clubs from the equation. The supporters are always a key ingredient of the match atmosphere on European nights. The governing body has suggested this format may be repeated in the future, but it will be tough to do so without alienating the fans.