Bayern Munich has secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League following a 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening. The German champions had already taken a 1-0 lead in the first leg in Paris.
They built on that advantage to secure a 3-0 aggregate victory, sending PSG crashing out of the competition at the last 16 stages. Former PSG forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was the hero for the hosts, scoring the decisive goal shortly after the hour mark to put the tie beyond any doubt.
Serge Gnabry then sealed the victory late on, but the brilliance of Bayern’s defense ultimately proved decisive. The German champions have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight matches. A record few teams can match in Europe.
The game started frantically, with both sides looking to take the initiative. PSG had the first real chance of the evening, but Kylian Mbappe’s effort was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Bayern then began to stamp their authority on the game, and they should have taken the lead when Robert Lewandowski was presented with a gilt-edged chance, only to fire his effort over the bar. The second half started much like the first, with both sides looking to take control of the tie.
Bayern eventually got the breakthrough, as Choupo-Moting capitalized on a defensive mistake from 17-year-old substitute El Chadaille Bitshiabu and fired past Sommer. The goal effectively sealed the tie, and Gnabry then put the seal on the victory late on as Bayern eased into the last eight.
PSG’s failure to get past the last 16 stages for the fifth time in seven years will disappoint their supporters. The French champions have spent heavily in recent years, but they have been unable to translate that into success in the Champions League.
The team’s star-studded attack could not breach Bayern’s defense on the night, and their lack of cutting edge in the final third ultimately cost them dear.Meanwhile, Bayern can now look forward to the quarter-finals with optimism.
The German champions have looked imperious in Europe this season and will be confident of progressing further in the competition. With Lewandowski, Gnabry, and Choupo-Moting in their ranks, Bayern has the attacking quality to trouble any side, and they will certainly be one of the teams to watch in the coming weeks.