5 Positives and 4 negatives from PSG’s narrow first-leg victory over Bayern Munich

Last night’s game concluded on a 5-4, is already being heralded in some quarters as one of the all time greatest Champions League encounters, saw two European giants at close to the peak of their powers engage in an end to end encounter that will long live in the memory of all those who watched it. Nine goals, almost evenly split, leaving the tie in the balance for what looks to be a mouth watering second-leg next week in Bavaria. Given the score-line, it only seems right to look at Five Positives and Four Negatives for PSG from the game.

Positives and negatives following PSG's thrilling victory over Bayern Munich

Positives:

1) PSG look able to dissect Munich’s defence easier than anticipated.

It surely couldn’t be expected, even by the most ardent of PSG supporters, that Bayern’s defence would be just this easy to breach. Time and time again, PSG managed to cut through Bayern’s midfield with ease, bypassing the Bavarian press with horizontal football that at its best was simply unstoppable. Were it not for the two last Bayern goals that made the tie much tighter, this would have been an absolute triumph for Enrique’s style of play (and perhaps the best and most emphatic demonstration of it so far).

2) Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia shine once more on biggest stage

Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have both come into form at the perfect time this season, and both were sensational again yesterday, terrorising the Bayern defence with their direct running, speed, and precise finishing. If these two keep playing like this next week at the Allianz Arena, it would take a brave person to bet against PSG’s qualification to the final.

3) PSG’s counter attacking style exposed gaping gaps in Bayern Munich defence

Bayern Munich supporters will no doubt have come away from the Parc des Princes yesterday thinking that they hadn’t seen their defence that exposed in a long time. Indeed, Enrique’s ultra attacking, direct, front to back style, seemed to cause issues in the Bayern backline that have very rarely been present this campaign. PSG will look to exploit their opponents in the same way next week.

4) PSG’s Champions League away form has been excellent this season

Looking ahead to next week’s tie, PSG fans can remain positive by remembering just how good their Champions League away form has been this season (and last season) – with big wins in second-legs at Chelsea and Liverpool’s stadiums representing very promising signs for the French Champions. Over the last couple of seasons, PSG have often had to travel in the second-legs of their European ties, and have generally done very well in this scenario. Enrique will be recalling these moments in order to provide a boost to his players before next week’s tie.

5) PSG wingers look to have the edge on Bayern fullbacks

Another positive sign for PSG fans will be the fact that PSG’s front three looked to have the beating of whichever of Bayern’s fullbacks they were up against. Whether Stanisic, Laimer or Davies, none of Bayern’s defenders were truly able to contain PSG’s devastating attackers, which became evident early in the second half as PSG swept home two devastating goals in quick succession.  

Negatives:

1) PSG very open at the back once again

PSG, for all their free-flowing attacking brilliance, once again looked very loose defensively, with Marquinhos and Willian Pacho both making individual errors which allowed Bayern to wreak havoc at the Parc des Princes. It’s far from being the first time this season that PSG have been too slack defensively, but to concede four goals at home in the Champions League for the first time since 2006 is truly an appalling and inexcusable defensive performance, whichever way you look at it.

2) Impressive three goal lead blown away by Bayern revival

While it’s good that PSG travel to Germany with a goal advantage, had they held on to their emphatic three-goal lead, the atmosphere among Parisian supporters would be infinitely more optimistic than it in fact is. Indeed, Ousmane Dembélé bemoaned after the game that his side was incapable of holding onto their lead, a sentiment that will be shared by his manager. Why exactly PSG took their eye off the ball at that point of the tie is uncertain, but what is clear is that it’s a mistake they can’t afford to make again, should they race into an early lead next week.

3) The second-leg at Allianz looks a new challenge

While it’s true, as mentioned earlier, that PSG have got a good away record in Europe in recent times, it’s also true that the Allianz arena has been a fortress this season. In Europe this season, Bayern have won every single game at their home stadium, by an astonishing aggregate score of 20-6. Atalanta, Real Madrid and Chelsea are among a few sides who have simply been brushed aside by the German side, and PSG will have to be attentive to not allow the same thing to happen to them in the cauldron-like atmosphere of the Allianz.

4) PSG fail to shackle either of Bayern’s tricky wingers

Just as Bayern were unable to truly ever contain any of PSG’s attackers, the same can be said the other way around: neither Achraf Hakimi nor Nuno Mendes were truly able to contain Bayern’s devastating wing duo of Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, both of whom were thorns in PSG’s side all night long, and both of whom ended up on the scoresheet. In the return leg, there will have to be a more disciplined attempt from the PSG side to avoid these wingers having the same level of impact.

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