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treva · 04-16-2020, 09:13 AM

Champions League SF 1st Leg

PSG and Bayern make light work of 'home advantage'

Heading into the second legs of the Champions League semi final, both PSG and Bayern Munich hold not only an away goals advantage but also an aggregate advantage after coming away from their respective away matches with victories.

PSG were able to secure their first ever win at the Nou Camp after scoring three unanswered goals to gain a firm upper hand in the tie, although Barcelona will take heart from the fact they scored six goals to comeback in that historic second leg of the last 16 against PSG back in 2017.

Luis Suarez had handed the hosts the lead after 20 minutes with a typical Barcelona attack. Some slick one touch passes ended with Lionel Messi squaring the ball to Suarez on the edge of the box who needed just one touch before striking the ball into the bottom corner.

From then onwards PSG took charge of the game, Neymar levelling the tie just three minutes later with a superb solo goal. Thomas Meunier then put his body on the line to put PSG ahead, clattering the back post as he scrambled in a delightfully lobbed cross from Juan Bernat that looped over Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Barca goal.

Idrissa Gueye was then afforded time and space inside the Barcelona box as their defence parted like the Red Sea, curling his shot into the corner to ensure PSG would be going home in firm command of the tie.

However, a late goal from Sergio Busquets may have shifted momentum slightly heading into the second leg as Suarez turned provider to find him amongst a sea of players in the PSG box.

PSG have never reached this stage of the competition and their desperation to lift the trophy could see nerves jangle when the sides meet in a week's time.

In Manchester, Bayern needed two late goals to defeat Man City, who had Ederson to thank for a simply stunning performance in goal.

City had the lead after just four minutes courtesy of their star striker Sergio Aguero. Raheem Sterling's good work down the left gave him a chance to whip a cross in with his left foot and the ball found Aguero inch perfectly. Aguero's textbook striker's header bounced into the ground, looping up over Manuel Neuer's outstretched hand before striking the underside of the bar and dropping in.

Bayern soon started to pick up momentum but were denied by a handful of quality saves from Ederson. In particular, a close range save from a Thomas Mueller volley stunned the visiting supporters who thought they were back in the game, before substitute Kingsley Coman was denied twice in the same attack by the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Amidst the great saves, Robert Lewandowski also had his header from a corner cleared off the line by Bernado Silva at the near post.

Unfortunately for the home side the pressure told and on 79 minutes Bayern were level. Muller's blocked pass fell back at his feet and with his second attempt he made no mistake in finding Thiago Alcantara in between two defenders. Thiago's drilled shot from 12 yards left Ederson with no chance of pulling off more heroics and City were now on the back foot.

With just a minute of normal time left Thiago had his second. Lewandowski's drive into the box gave him a chance to look up and see his teammate waiting on the penalty spot and, when the ball made its way to him, Thiago made no mistake with a shot just out of the reach of a diving Ederson.

City will now need to replicate their one and only victory in Munich back in 2013 if they are to progress to their first ever Champions League final.

Ederson's quality goalkeeping wasn't enough to keep out Bayern who lead 2-1 heading into the second leg

Results

Man City 1-2 Bayern Munich

Aguero (4) - Thiago (79, 89)

Barcelona 2-3 PSG

Suarez (20), Busquets (86) - Neymar (23), Meunier (45), Gueye (77)

04-16-2020, 09:13 AM	#31
treva Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: Finishing the 19/20 Season \| FM20/FIFA20 Champions League SF 1st Leg PSG and Bayern make light work of 'home advantage' Heading into the second legs of the Champions League semi final, both PSG and Bayern Munich hold not only an away goals advantage but also an aggregate advantage after coming away from their respective away matches with victories. PSG were able to secure their first ever win at the Nou Camp after scoring three unanswered goals to gain a firm upper hand in the tie, although Barcelona will take heart from the fact they scored six goals to comeback in that historic second leg of the last 16 against PSG back in 2017. Luis Suarez had handed the hosts the lead after 20 minutes with a typical Barcelona attack. Some slick one touch passes ended with Lionel Messi squaring the ball to Suarez on the edge of the box who needed just one touch before striking the ball into the bottom corner. From then onwards PSG took charge of the game, Neymar levelling the tie just three minutes later with a superb solo goal. Thomas Meunier then put his body on the line to put PSG ahead, clattering the back post as he scrambled in a delightfully lobbed cross from Juan Bernat that looped over Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Barca goal. Idrissa Gueye was then afforded time and space inside the Barcelona box as their defence parted like the Red Sea, curling his shot into the corner to ensure PSG would be going home in firm command of the tie. However, a late goal from Sergio Busquets may have shifted momentum slightly heading into the second leg as Suarez turned provider to find him amongst a sea of players in the PSG box. PSG have never reached this stage of the competition and their desperation to lift the trophy could see nerves jangle when the sides meet in a week's time. In Manchester, Bayern needed two late goals to defeat Man City, who had Ederson to thank for a simply stunning performance in goal. City had the lead after just four minutes courtesy of their star striker Sergio Aguero. Raheem Sterling's good work down the left gave him a chance to whip a cross in with his left foot and the ball found Aguero inch perfectly. Aguero's textbook striker's header bounced into the ground, looping up over Manuel Neuer's outstretched hand before striking the underside of the bar and dropping in. Bayern soon started to pick up momentum but were denied by a handful of quality saves from Ederson. In particular, a close range save from a Thomas Mueller volley stunned the visiting supporters who thought they were back in the game, before substitute Kingsley Coman was denied twice in the same attack by the Brazilian goalkeeper. Amidst the great saves, Robert Lewandowski also had his header from a corner cleared off the line by Bernado Silva at the near post. Unfortunately for the home side the pressure told and on 79 minutes Bayern were level. Muller's blocked pass fell back at his feet and with his second attempt he made no mistake in finding Thiago Alcantara in between two defenders. Thiago's drilled shot from 12 yards left Ederson with no chance of pulling off more heroics and City were now on the back foot. With just a minute of normal time left Thiago had his second. Lewandowski's drive into the box gave him a chance to look up and see his teammate waiting on the penalty spot and, when the ball made its way to him, Thiago made no mistake with a shot just out of the reach of a diving Ederson. City will now need to replicate their one and only victory in Munich back in 2013 if they are to progress to their first ever Champions League final. Ederson's quality goalkeeping wasn't enough to keep out Bayern who lead 2-1 heading into the second leg Results Man City 1-2 Bayern Munich Aguero (4) - Thiago (79, 89) Barcelona 2-3 PSG Suarez (20), Busquets (86) - Neymar (23), Meunier (45), Gueye (77)