In the team hotel at the Eiffel Tower, Oliver Kahn stood on the stage with a big chest and proudly called into the hall after midnight, surrounded by the Munich winners and the new king of the premier class, Kingsley Coman. “Here in Paris you have to win first!”
Kahn could hardly have wished for a better setting for his first Champions League speech as Bayern boss in front of the noble fans and sponsors than after the 1-0 in the round of 16 first leg in Paris Saint-Germain, which was revitalized late by turbo striker Kylian Mbappé . “We have created great conditions for the second leg,” said the 53-year-old. On March 8th there will be a knockout showdown in Munich’s Allianz Arena.
After match party at the Eiffel Tower
After three years of Corona, there was an after-match party for the first time during a Champions League trip by FC Bayern. Kahn was able to continue “a great tradition”. “I myself have experienced many such, formerly called banquets – also legendary ones,” said the CEO, alluding to earlier speeches by Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “It got down to business one time or another,” Kahn recalled some angry speeches after defeats.
“That’s not necessary today,” said Kahn with a smile. After “King” Coman’s volley, the ex-goalkeeper was able to unreservedly praise the current Bayern pros instead of scolding them. Nevertheless, he warned: “It’s no secret, games at this level are not decided in the first leg. We will need this performance again to advance to the next round.”
Julian Nagelsmann spoke similarly after one of his biggest and most important victories as Bayern coach. “The first step has been taken, the second must follow in Munich,” said the 35-year-old energetically. His tactics with a three-man chain, courageous personnel decisions (starting eleven without Müller) and sensible changes worked.
“Clever and clever,” praised Kahn Bayern’s performance. After a lot of unrest about the injured captain Manuel Neuer and speculation about the coach-team relationship, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic made this statement: “Today you could see that the team and coach work very well and harmonize.” A push into the quarterfinals could start a great season. “We saw what our team is capable of,” said Kahn.
Messi and Neymar just extras
Munich were dominant for a long time. World champion Lionel Messi and star colleague Neymar were largely extras in the Prince Park. But all viewers had also seen two games – one without Mbappé and one with Mbappé after he was substituted on. “In the second half you saw what this absolutely exceptional player does, not only in the crowd but also in the team. Then Paris believed in it again,” remarked Kahn.
Nagelsmann described Mbappé, who had previously injured his thigh, as a “game changer”. And honorary president Uli Hoeneß was in a good mood after the “optimal” outcome of the game for his Bavarians: “There were two teams from Paris, one without and one with Mbappé.” But in the second leg you will be prepared for Mbappé.
When the high-speed striker entered the pitch after Coman’s goal, grass chess suddenly became a football spectacle after all. Mbappé and the PSG fans celebrated twice, but both of the top star’s goals did not count for offside. There was a challenge from Mbappé: “We showed in the final stages of the game that we can be dangerous if we play our attacking football. We’re going to Munich to win and to progress.”
Coman scores again against ex-club
In the Prince Park was another king. “King” Coman scored again decisively in his hometown against his ex-club, where his football career began as a child. As in the 2020 final in Lisbon, the Frenchman again scored the winning goal to make it 1-0, this time with a volley.
“This is my home. I was born here. We can achieve a lot if we play like this,” said Coman. The 26-year-old later had to leave injured. “Nothing bad,” said Nagelsmann. In the second leg, however, he has to do without defender Benjamin Pavard, who saw a yellow-red card in injury time.
Bayern needed a little bit of stupidity. And in Yann Sommer a goalkeeper who showed that he is a veritable replacement. Once the Swiss national goalkeeper made a spectacular save against Mbappé. “Awesome parade,” said Joshua Kimmich. The temporary captain called progress “not at all safe”. Rather, he expects “a tough task” in three weeks.
During the night, however, Kahn initially focused again on the title fight in the Bundesliga with stubborn hunters like Union Berlin and especially Borussia Dortmund: “Jo Kimmich said it right again in the dressing room. Now it’s on to Borussia Mönchengladbach. And we know: They’re waiting out there for us to stumble, too. And we don’t want to do anyone a favour.”
