PSG stops Bayern while Chelsea bounce back to beat Porto

Author: John Mawuli Atidigah

PSG stops Bayern at the Allianz Arena in Munich 3-2. A sensational victory, which anyway, given the Parisian players’ pool, could have happened and in fact it did.

Under heavy snow, PSG took the lead in the 3 ′ with Mbappè. The parade of the German goalkeeper Neuer is not perfect. The Bavarians feel the blow and appear lost, while the Parisians double with Marquinhos in the 28th minute.

Hans-Dieter Flick’s team tries to join the ranks and increases the pressure on the French, looking for even more push on the left wing with the inclusion of Davis in place of Goretzka.

At the end of the first half, Bayern shortened the Choupo-Moting distances, but the first 45 minutes ended with the French leading.

In the second half the push of the Bavarians continues and they finally grab the equalizer at 60 ‘with Muller, but not happy they seek victory.

PSG defends well and when they can start on the counterattack with Mbappé and Neymar and in fact in the 68th minute they hit Neuer again. Mbappè still signs the third goal that will ultimately give the victory to the transalpines.

There are so many opportunities created by Bayern that this evening has sinned with imprecision. In fact, the numbers are clearly on Bayern’s side; shots on goal 12 against 5, ball possession 64% against 36%, passes 523 against 316. Germans, however, also very nervous given the fouls, 16 against 7 and the 4 yellow cards against one of the French.

It was Bayern’s first Champions League loss in more than two years and the first ever for coach Hansi Flick, who had been unbeaten in his previous 16 matches in Europe’s premier club competition.

“I am happy with the result and the attitude of the team, who found themselves in difficult situations against the best side in Europe,” PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “We need to congratulate the players for their sacrifice and we want to repeat this kind of performance.

However, the game is still open given the quality on the pitch.

In the other match, Porto’s adventure seems to have come to an end, with Chelsea being defeated 2-0 within friendly walls. Chelsea took the lead in the 32nd minute with Mount and Chilwell doubled in the 85th minute.

Porto, who knocked Juventus out in the last round, were more adventurous than the Premier League side and had triple the amount of shots, going closest with a header from veteran defender Pepe that was beaten away by Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, who also repelled an effort from striker Moussa Marega.

But Chelsea grabbed a crucial second away goal when Chilwell pounced on a slip by Porto’s Jesus Corona and dashed across the box to dribble his way into the net in the 85th minute, moments after teammate Christian Pulisic had rattled the crossbar.

The second leg on April 13 will also be played at Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan stadium due to coronavirus restrictions on travel between Portugal and England.

A well-deserved victory for Thomas Tuchel’s team, which mortgages the passage to the semifinals.

In spite of everything, congratulations should be made to Sergio Conceicao’s team for bringing his team to the quarter-finals. However, there is always the return to play, but the passage of the round seems very problematic.