Bayern Munich will carry a difficult mission against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the second leg of the 2020-2021 Champions League quarter-finals. The PSG vs Bayern match will take place at the Parc des Princes, Wednesday (14/4/2021).
Bayern was beaten 2-3 by PSG at the Allianz Arena in the first leg. Practically, the defeat at home also made Die Roten obliged to win at least two goals over Les Parisiens to qualify for the semifinals.
On the other hand, Bayern can also get away with a goal difference. However, Thomas Mueller et al must win with a score of 4-3, 5-4, etc. Bayern will qualify with an away goal advantage over PSG if they win with that score. Regardless, winning at your opponent home is not easy. What’s more, against PSG which incidentally is a star-studded team.
Nevertheless, that does not mean that Bayern do not have a chance to turn things around in Paris. Here are three reasons why Bayern Munich can make a comeback against PSG:
Hansi Flick’s record
Hansi Flick had an extraordinary record with Bayern Munich before the match against PSG in the first leg of this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. Flick successfully brought Die Roten to be unbeatenable in the Champions League for 17 consecutive matches.
Hansi Flick had an extraordinary record with Bayern Munich before the match against PSG in the first leg of this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. Flick successfully brought Die Roten to be unbeatenable in the Champions League for 17 consecutive matches.
Even though his record has broken since losing to PSG, that does not mean that the guarantee of Bayern’s superiority is gone for future matches. Like PSG who successfully beat Bayern at the Allianz Arena, Die Roten also has a chance to succeed when playing at home to their opponents.
Bayern’s dominance over PSG in the First Leg
Despite losing in the first leg, Bayern Munich dominated the game over PSG. Die Roten were also very diligent in attacking with a record of 31 shot attempts at PSG’s goal. Unfortunately, they were ineffective in taking advantage of opportunities because only 12 kicks on target resulted in two goals.
This is also a special concern of Hansi Flick to make Bayern’s front line better in the second leg. “We have a lot of opportunities in the first leg, but not too clinical,” said Flick. “We have to do better. We know it will not be easy, but we will give everything,” he said.
Champions League Comeback Surprise
A victory in the first leg at Bayern Munich’s headquarters does not automatically make PSG qualify for the next round. Historically, the Champions League has often presented teams that have made phenomenal comebacks. In fact, PSG was once a “victim” after winning the first leg, namely against Barcelona in the last 16 of the 2016-2017 Champions League.
At that time, PSG, who won 4-0 in the first leg, had to fall after Barca made a 6-1 comeback at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana also escaped 6-6 on aggregate (winning on away goals). Not only that, the bitter pill must also be swallowed by Les Parisiens on the 16th 2018-2019 Champions League.
At that time, PSG, who won 2-0 over Manchester United at Old Traffod, failed to qualify due to a comeback in the second leg. As for Les Parisens, they lost 1-3 from Man United in Paris so that the Red Devils escaped thanks to the aggressiveness of the away goals (agg 3-3).