Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 match on Tuesday, with replacement Kylian Mbappe denied a late equalizer by a questionable offside ruling. Kingsley Coman scored the game's lone goal.
Eight minutes into the second half at the Parc des Princes, Coman, who was unmarked, swept in an Alphonso Davies cross. Mbappe, who was about to make his injury comeback, had just arrived and PSG had looked completely lost without their leading scorer.
With eight minutes left, Mbappe and the whole stadium believed he had equalized when he turned in a Nuno Mendes cutback, but the goal was disallowed because the Portuguese full-back started the play slightly ahead of the final defender.
Benjamin Pavard's red card forced Bayern to complete the game with 10 men, but it was a disappointing outcome for PSG.
With Mbappe on the field, the French giants played considerably better in the latter minutes, but they also required some excellent stops from Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score from becoming worse.
PSG must hope that the second leg in Munich on March 8 will allow them to salvage the match.
Although we are at a disadvantage, we were able to cause them issues, so now we just need to make sure that all of our players are healthy before traveling there to attempt to qualify “Mbappe stated after having another goal disallowed for obvious offside.
Coman, whose career began in Paris, did not celebrate his goal, but it was a case of history repeating itself since he had scored the game-winning goal when Bayern defeated the Qatar-owned team in the 2020 European Championship final in Lisbon, bringing them their sixth title overall.
“It seemed a little odd. It was difficult to celebrate since I was born and raised in this city and club, but we are quite happy with the outcome “added Coman.
Mbappe's physical condition had dominated the lead-up to the game; the France sensation had been originally ruled out due to a thigh injury before returning to training earlier than anticipated and made the team.
Warren Zaire-Emery, who started the Champions League quarterfinal game at the age of 16 years and 343 days, was picked among the replacements.
Although Mbappe, who scored seven goals in six group stage games, looked on, Lionel Messi and Neymar were sorely missing his presence, so Bayern had nothing to fear in the first half.
Struggle Messi, Neymar
Instead, Bayern dominated the match and limited PSG to only one effort in the first half while using a three-man center defense.
But apart from a shot by Joshua Kimmich that was easily saved, the Bundesliga's top team did nothing to test Donnarumma as Sadio Mane is still out injured.
Joao Cancelo was replaced by Canadian international Davies by Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann at halftime, which required Coman to go from the left side to the right.
The loudest shout of the evening was saved for Mbappe when he emerged to warm up during the break, replacing France center-back Presnel Kimpembe in place of PSG's Achraf Hakimi.
When Davies crossed from the left to the far post, where Coman finished unimpeded, the 24-year-old was getting ready to replace Davies.
Carlos Soler was swiftly replaced by Kylian Mbappe, but the French champions required Donnarumma to perform a fingertip stop to divert an Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting attempt into the woodwork in order to keep the game, and maybe the tie, alive.
Donnarumma stopped Pavard's header from the next corner.
The 73rd minute saw PSG finally get the ball to Mbappe, who was racing towards the goal after a Fabian Ruiz pass over the top.
Before Neymar was able to stop the follow-up attempt, Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer came out to block Mbappe's shot with his face.
Then Mbappe did score, but the celebrations were cut short. Bayern continued to hold on even after Pavard received a second yellow for scything down Messi.
“Kylian Mbappe can undoubtedly alter any game, “Nagelsmann stated. “While this was a significant outcome, it is just the first step.”
