All-Star PSG Face Mighty Munich in the Champions League Final

Last updated: August 22, 2020 by Leon Marshal

The curtain goes down on the UEFA Champions League as the French Champions battle against the German Champions in what promises to be an exciting high scoring final. Will Neymar fulfil the prophecy of becoming the best footballer in the world, or will the often overlooked Lewandoski lead his side to a second treble in seven years?

The stage is set for a fourth major Germany-France final, the German’s being the dominant side with three wins against the French’s one win. PSG and Bayern Munich were high scoring semifinalists scoring three goals each to book a place in the final. A star-studded French side with Neymar and Mbappe costing more than the cost-efficient Bayern Munich with their biggest bargain, Robert Lewandoski signed on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

The draw was lopsided in PSG’s favour; they faced Borussia Dortmund, Atlanta, and RB Leipzig to make it to the finals for the first time. This situation is clearly uncharted territory for the French champions who have ghosts of the previous capitulations after the historic comeback by Barcelona and the disappointment in Paris by Manchester United.

Tomas Tuchel side becomes the 41st different team to feature in the European final. A tough task as each of the last six teams in their first final has all lost. The last first-time winner being German side, Borussia Dortmund, against Juventus back in 1997.

The Parisians have struggled with mental frailty and lack of leadership seemingly collapsing in big nervy moments. They do, however, seem to be maturing as individuals as well as a team. The two late goals in their Atlanta match and the football discipline that Neymar has shown over the last three games shows he has all the attributes to be a complete player. Despite missing four clear cut chances in the last two games, he was still the best player and showed a great attitude even when things were not working out for him and the team. The return of Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria, ahead of schedule, could not have come at a better time for French Ligue 1 team. They have managed 11 goals between the three of them so far.

A dressing room that has contains big players on big wages and even bigger egos, now look united with good cohesion. All credit goes to Thomas Tuchel, who has the players focused on their football.

Bayern Munich is looking for a second treble in 7 years as they head for their fourth final since 2010 and the first since lifting the trophy in the 2012-13 season. The Bundesliga Champions have reached 11 European finals, only eclipsed by Real Madrid who has played 16. They are five times winners, the fourth-best tally behind Real Madrid (13), AC Milan (7), and Liverpool (6). Bayern Munich has scored 42 goals in 10 games a record only eclipsed by Barcelona in 1999-20 campaign scoring 45 goals in 16 games.

Compared to PSG, the Germans have got to the final the hard way, knocking out Tottenham, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Lyon in their road to the final with a mouthwatering aggregate score of 42 – 8. They have won all their 14 behind-closed-door meetings since the resumption and are unbeaten in the last 29 games winning 28 and drawing just one.

Robert Lewandoski has been the anchorman upfront scoring for fun with 15 Champions League goals, just two short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record tally of 17 goals and 55 in all competitions to his name. The Poland international became the first player since Ronaldo to score in 9 consecutive Champions League matches. Worryingly for PSG, if Lewandoski has an off day, Serge Gnabry (9 goals, two in the semi-final) is a huge threat and is currently the third top scorer behind Lewandoski and Erling Halland. Boateng, who is one of the remaining five surviving winners of the competition seven years ago, is likely to be fit to play after picking a muscle strain.

Bayern is on a great run of 10 consecutive wins and is favourites to win. It will be interesting to see if Bayern still keep a high line left them exposed throughout the match that could be a risky gamble against the experienced, lethal and fast PSG frontline.

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Team News

The is the first time for PSG in the UEFA Champions League finals after a kind set of fixtures.

Mbappe and Di Maria recovered early from their injuries and featured in the semi-final and will most definitely be in the starting line-up for the finals.

Bayern Munich has scored 42 goals in 10 games a record only eclipsed by Barcelona in the 1999-20 campaign who scored 45 goals in 16 games.

The German side is on course for a second treble in 7 years as they head for their fourth final since 2010 and the first appearance in the final since lifting the trophy in the 2012-13 season.

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Expected Line-Ups:

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So Far This Season

• The French champions and the German champions have met four times, both sides winning twice.
• Bayern have an average of 4.2 goals per game in the knockout phase of UEFA Champions League.
• Lewandoski is on a record-breaking season with 15 goals as the most dangerous man in front of goal, having scored in the last nine consecutive games.
• Neymar, Di Maria and Mbappe will be PSG’s trio attackers that look more dangerous on the counter-attack.

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Head to Head

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Conclusion & Betting Tips

PSG need to start winning this competition if they are to be considered one of the top teams in Europe and after such a kind run to the final, they only have themselves to blame if they let this opportunity slip. In Neymar and Mbappé they have two players who could win this game with individual brilliance, the supporting cast featuring Icardi and Di María are not bad either.

England fans will be aware of the line in Vindaloo that goes, “we’re gonna score one more than you”, well this Bayern Munich team are like that but on steroids, more likely to score five more than the opposition on current form. That’s not to say they are perfect. If Barcelona or Lyon had been able to exploit the acres of space behind Alphonso Davies at left-back, it might have been a different story, and the tactically astute PSG are likely to attack this Achilles heel.

A tough one to call this, either team could win this and win it handsomely if less than 100% effort is put in from either side. PSG have the trump cards of Neymar and Mbappé, but no-one would be surprised if this were to be known as “the Lewandowski final”. We are going to go for a spectacular 3-2 win for Bayern; This scoreline is available @ 16/1 at Betway.