Corentin Tolisso stole the show on Tuesday evening as he netted a brace in Bayern Munich’s 3-1 victory over Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League at the Allianz Arena.
The Frenchman scored either side of half-time as the sides, who had already earned progression to the next round of the competition, played out an entertaining affair. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in only the eighth minute for the hosts before Tolisso bagged his first. Kylian Mbappé struck early in the second-half to give Unai Emery’s men faint hope before the former Lyon man secured the three points with a well-taken second.
Rapid start from the Bavarians
It did not take long for the Germans to snatch the lead against the French giants. James Rodriguez found space on the left-hand side and crossed to former Paris Saint Germain man Kingsley Coman. The Frenchman nodded towards goal and found Robert Lewandowski. The Polish hitman controlled, turned and finished low past Alfonso Areola. Unai Emery’s team appealed for offside but the goal was given and Bayern celebrated.
The former Dortmund man then had the chance to double the advantage but his shot was deflected away by Marquinhos. Bayern were dominant throughout large swaths of the first period and the visitors really struggled to test Sven Ulreich in the home side’s goal. However, when they were presented with a chance to equalise, it was spurned. Combining well with Kylian Mbappé, Brazilian forward Neymar burst free of the Bayern defence but only served to curl his low shot wide of the far post.
Tolisso towers above to stretch the lead
The ball was eventually in the net, however it came via a goal for the home side. Rodriguez, who put in an excellent showing again crossed into the box. Corentin Tolisso leapt highest and thundered a header low into the net to double the Germans’ advantage.
A flashpoint after the second goal threatened to take focus off of a magnificent football match but referee Cüneyt Çakır diffused the situation and booked goalscorer Tolisso and Marquinhos. Neymar almost decreased the arrears as he shot from just inside the area. Ulreich though eventually fumbled the ball away as half-time approached.
PSG pounce back
In as quick a time as it did for Juup Heynckes’ men to snatch the lead in the first period, PSG had found the net in the second. An excellent flick from Edinson Cavani over Mats Hummels found Mbappé in considerable room. The youngster stretched his neck muscles and directed the ball past Ulreich to get the French giants on the score sheet.
They should have been level mid-way through the second-half but Julian Draxler’s tame effort did not test Ulreich enough. The German stopper did have to work a little harder to keep out Mbappé’s thunderous drive from distance as it was palmed away.
Former Lyon man haunts the French champions
The Bavarians though did soon have their two-goal buffer back as Tolisso found the net again. Coman did well to wriggle free on the left-side and put in an excellent low cross. Tolisso connected well and powered home with a cool right-footed finish.
The Parisians continued to probe in an effort to find the net, but with qualification to the last-16 of the Champions League already secured, there was not too much disappointment in relation to the result and Bayern looked to be holding on for what was an excellent victory. Ulreich was however forced into an excellent late save to deny Mbappé.
Final Thoughts
Whilst the victory was not enough for Bayern Munich to snatch top spot in the group, it was still an excellent performance from Juup Heynckes’ troops. James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso shone for the Bavarians and PSG struggled to get a touch on the duo as they were all but blown away in the first-half.
The Parisians meanwhile will be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball having already been named winners of the group. They struggled to really threaten in the first-period but were much more dynamic after the break and possibly could have found the net again had it not been for an excellent defensive performance from the hosts.
Match Report
Bayern Munich: Ulreich (7); Alaba (7) (Rafinha (N/A), 85′), Süle (7), Hummels (7), Kimmich (6); Rudy (7), Tolisso (8), Ribery (7) (Müller (6), 67′), Rodriguez (8) (Vidal (N/A), 83′), Coman (7); Lewandowski (7).
Paris Saint Germain: Areloa (6); Kurzawa (5), Silva (7) (Kimpembe (6), 72′), Marquinhos (6), Alves (5); Verratti (6), Rabiot (6), Draxler (7) (Lo Celso (N/A), 90+1′); Neymar (7), Cavani (5), Mbappé (6).
Goals: Lewandowski (8′), Tolisso (37′, 69′), Mbappé (54′)
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır
Yellow Cards: Kimmich (22′), Rodriguez (23′), Tolisso (41′), Marquinhos (41′), Rudy (53′), Draxler (82′)
Red Cards: N/A
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