Julian Nagelsmann, coach of the Bayern Munichwants his team to seize the initiative against the Paris Saint-Germain in the return of the Champions League and Kylian Mbappé has more desire to score after becoming PSG’s all-time top scorer.
Both will have their chance on Wednesday when Bayern will try to assert a minimal 1-0 advantage in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. Bayern came out on top in the first leg in Paris thanks to a Kingsley Coman goal, but it remains to be seen how they hold up.
Under Nagelsmann, Bayern does not withdraw when it has to defend a difference of one goal. They go for two or three more. Accentuating the pressure worked in the group stage against Inter Milan and Barcelona, who were unable to score against them. But they could be inviting PSG to get into the game.
“We both have a lot of offensive power. We have to go for them when they have the position and make us feel physically from the first minute”, said Nagelsmann. “What we need in the return is to prevent them from imposing their idea. If you give away a lot of space to their attackers, they will end up giving free rein to their quality, and you will have a torture defending”.
Nagelsmann and Galtier play more than the pass to the quarterfinals
Whatever happens, one of the teams will suffer their most premature elimination from the Champions League since both lost to rivals England in the round of 16 of the 2018-19 edition.
Both planned to access the quarterfinals at least and a loss could leave Nagelsmann hanging in the balance or the PSG coach, Christophe Galtier.
“We will have to have more of the ball and play higher, recover the ball higher in the opponent’s field. It will be necessary to be vigilant and daring on the attack front.”said Galtier, PSG coach.
Nagelsmann’s five-year contract in 2021 was a message from Bayern bosses that they saw the 33-year-old German as the architect of a long-term project. It is also locked in a close battle for the Bundesliga title, with Bayern tied on points with Borussia Dortmund at the top.
Bayern and PSG will have important absences in the Champions League
Sadio Mane he missed the first leg due to a foot injury that prevented him from going to the World Cup, but the Senegalese attacker came off the bench in Bayern’s last two Bundesliga games.
In any case, Bayern will go out without the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez, both with prolonged periods of absence due to injuries. The Moroccan Defender Noussair Mazraoui He has been able to train, but has not had any action since the World Cup. And another defender, the French Benjamin Pavardhe will purge a suspension date after being sent off in the discounts of the first leg against PSG and the Croatian Josip Stanisic would be his replacement.
PSG will miss neymar after monday it was confirmed that the Brazilian attacker was ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.
But Mbappé and Lionel Messi arrive toned after scoring goals in a 4-2 win over Nantes on Sunday. Mbappé made history by becoming the club’s all-time goalscorer, author of 201 goals, to break the tie with Edinson Cavani.
the right side Achraf Hakimi was summoned after receiving preliminary rape charges last week. Hakimi, 24, has missed the last three French league games due to injury.
Bayern Munich vs. PSG: Date, time and live broadcast
In addition to the match between Bayern Munich and PSGthis Wednesday, March 8, the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 will also take place between Tottenham and Milan; the Italians lead 1-0.
Bayern Munich vs. psg
- Date: Wednesday March 8
- Hour: 2:00 p.m. Mexico time
- Transmission: HBO Max
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Tottenham vs Milan
- Date: Wednesday March 8
- Hour: 2:00 p.m. Mexico time
- Transmission: TNT and HBO Max
(With information from AP)
