AU REVOIR, Paris Saint-Germain – once again the Qatari petrol-dollars have failed to mastermind Champions League glory.
The Middle East owners’ long-held ambitions of lifting Europe’s Holy Grail crashed and burned in the last 16 of this competition for the FIFTH time in seven seasons.
Even with two World Cup winners Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in their attack – neither of whom were on top form tonight – the French side failed to find a way past Bayern Munich’s red wall defence in 180 minutes of football.
And on a cold evening in Bavaria, the Ligue 1 leaders were undone by second-leg goals scored by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry.
The tactical plan by Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann to thwart the exhilarating pace and agility of Mbappe worked a treat as the Frenchman was restricted to half chances.
Messi, too, was a shadow of the player that oversaw Argentina’s World Cup success three months ago – the magic men brought no spark whatsoever.
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It was a professional display by the Bundesliga champions, who will take some beating on the Road to Istanbul final this June.
It could have been all so different had Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt not shown such quick-thinking prowess on 38 minutes to block an attempt from Vitinha off the line after shot-stopper Yann Sommer foolishly conceded possession in his own penalty area.
PSG – who lost captain Marquinhos to injury on 36 minutes – had no choice in the second half other than to throw everything at the home side given their 1-0 defeat in Paris on Valentine’s Day.
But their morale took a plummeting when Marco Verratti was caught on the ball by Munich duo Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka on 61 minutes.
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Goretzka kept his cool to lay it on a plate for Choupo-Moting who made no mistake against goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his 17th goal this campaign.
It was a special moment for Choupo-Moting, formerly of Stoke City, who was ironically released by PSG three years ago.
Minutes after that, Sommer earned his appearance fee with a brilliant one-handed save to push away a header by Sergio Ramos, who later put another good chance wide.
Any dreams PSG may have had of staging a late comeback were ruined in the closing minutes when substitute Gnabry scored with a breakaway goal – the assist coming from Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo.
Sadio Mane thought he added another deep into injury time but the offside flag went up immediately.
Early-round defeats in Europe are a typical theme for PSG and, even if he wins the domestic title, the head coach Christophe Galtier is likely to pay for this latest exit with his job.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
