FC Bayern only managed a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and were eliminated. FCBinside provides three insights into the match
Bayern were unable to turn the tie around after losing the first leg and missed out on a place in the final thanks to the 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena. The match provided the following insights
1. Bayern should have learned what they are still missing
FCB sporting director Max Eberl’s analysis after Bayern’s wild 4:5 in the first leg is still just as remarkable a week later – because it underlines a major problem for Munich. Back then, Eberl said in the French capital with a view to the second leg: „In the second leg, we have to finish off the situations we have up front – and we have many, many, many of them – more cleanly .“ Even after conceding five goals, the Bayern boss saw the key not in strengthening defensive efforts, but in attacking even more and scoring even more goals
As if to encourage his opponents in their hara-kiri approach, Paris coach Luis Enrique said before the game that they had not come to defend, but after taking an early lead, his world-class team did just that: defend consistently and well
In the analysis of the second leg, Bayern fell back into the old patterns: „We weren’t killers in attack today,“ was the assessment of Manuel Neuer , who made a strong save himself and prevented worse
However, it was not the offense that was the problem in the two duels with PSG: With Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, Bayern are among the crème de la crème in Europe. Bayern should now have learned what they still lack for a major triumph in the Champions League: a stable and reliable defense
After the first leg, all those in charge of the team were praising the crowd in the Allianz Arena: the fans – all in red – were supposed to whip the team to victory. But the goal conceded in the 3rd minute was the biggest possible mood killer
A 1-0 win would have been enough for extra time, but nobody in Munich thought they would be able to keep a clean sheet against the defending champions. Bayern want to win the title in the top flight again next year, but they will need a world-class defence to do so, especially against the absolute top teams
2. The disappointment would also overshadow the double
Bayern were rightly dreaming of the big time in the Champions League this season. Coach Vincent Kompany’s team played inspiring soccer for long stretches, the German record champions were celebrated throughout Europe for their spectacular attacking soccer and the club won over many new fans
The team believed that they could even win the treble this year. The players were all the more disappointed after the final whistle. Harry Kane, usually sober, professional and detached in interviews, could literally see the disappointment. „It’s tough,“ admitted the Englishman, whose biggest dream is to win the Champions League
Joshua Kimmich also saw a missed title opportunity: „In eleven years at Bayern, this has been the strongest season we’ve played so far,“ he explained: „Stronger than the treble season back then. We didn’t actually play good soccer for half a year and then played very good soccer for the second half or three quarters of the year. “
The Bayern stars left the stadium with their heads hung low. This defeat was particularly painful. Now the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart awaits. With a win in Berlin, the team can clinch the double and crown a strong season with two major titles. But it was clear to the players that the semi-final exit in the Champions League after this season will hurt even longer. The disappointment would also overshadow the double
3. Bayern must now improve the squad
The defeat to PSG made it clear where Bayern need to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. The defence will be an issue, although they have found a strong centre-back duo in Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. Eberl’s bosses certainly need to do something about the full-back positions
If only because the future of Konrad Laimer is unclear. The Austrian is reportedly demanding an absolute top salary. However, a game like the one against PSG does not justify that. Laimer had already advanced far too far early on in the 1-0 defeat and left his side criminally open. Laimer has already shown very good games as a right-back, but recently he has lost his consistency. Josip Stanisic is a home-grown talent to be proud of, but he has not yet arrived in the absolute world class
Aleksandar Pavlovic has reached his limits in central midfield. He certainly has a future in Bayern’s midfield, but competition is good for business and the departure of Leon Goretzka has left a vacancy
Bayern are well-stocked up front in attack, but Kompany lacked alternatives against PSG due to injury. The fact that he had to bring on two defenders in Alphonso Davies and Minjae Kim in the 68th minute with the score at 0-1 speaks volumes. A top player to complement Bayern’s creamy attack and put pressure not only on Luis Diaz but also Jamal Musiala could make Bayern even more title-worthy in the Champions League.