FC Bayern face a real show of strength against PSG. Mario Basler looks at Joshua Kimmich and the Munich defense with concern ahead of the semi-final second leg.
After the wild 4:5 in the first leg, FC Bayern urgently need a win against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening to at least reach extra time. Mario Basler, however, is critical of Munich’s chances of reaching the final, especially because of their recently fragile defense.
The former Bayern professional complained on Sport1-Doppelpass about the many goals conceded in recent weeks. In Paris, the German record champions were 5-2 down at one point, and Munich have also conceded too many goals in the Bundesliga recently. Basler put his criticism in a nutshell: „If you then have an open day …“
Basler takes Kimmich to task
Basler is particularly keen on Joshua Kimmich, as the midfielder often collects the ball too far back in the opinion of the former international, thereby drawing opponents into dangerous spaces. Basler recalled earlier phases in the 30-year-old’s game: „The situation was the same a year or two ago. He was running around everywhere again, wanting to play every position, and I’ve noticed that again in the last few games.“
Basler would apparently have preferred a different solution for the center, deploying Leon Goretzka alongside Kimmich rather than Aleksandar Pavlovic. Bayern are, however, looking to deploy a double-six consisting of Kimmich and Pavlovic ahead of the PSG clash.
The situation surrounding Alphonso Davies also remains open. The left-back has only been training individually recently, so it is not yet certain that he will play against Paris. One thing is clear, however: Bayern have to win, and even another spectacle with lots of goals would be enough as long as Munich win in the end.