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Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to exact revenge on Bayern Munich for their loss in the UEFA Champions League final last year.
Bayern Munich will take on Paris Saint-Germain in a rematch of last year's UEFA Champions League final tonight. It is arguably the most high-profile match of the quarter-finals as two of these European stalwarts lock horns at the Allianz Arena tonight.
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Bayern Munich's hopes of winning a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title received a major boost as they beat their closest title rivals, RB Leipzig, by a goal to nil this past weekend. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain's quest to retain the Ligue 1 title took a major hit as they lost 1-0 to Lille over the weekend to fall to second place.
However, we could yet see Paris Saint-Germain spring a surprise on Bayern Munich. Here, we take a look at five reasons why Bayern Munich will struggle against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
#5 Bayern Munich will be vulnerable to Paris Saint-Germain's counter-attacks
Both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are excellent at transitioning from defence to attack. The Bavarians are adept at playing the possession game and Paris Saint-Germain ought to be content with trying to break on the counter tonight.
This is because in recent weeks they have settled down well under Mauricio Pochettino and could prove to be a major threat on the counter. Bayern Munich's gegenpressing style of defending leaves them vulnerable at the back.
Bayern Munich concede 1.63 through balls per game, according to FBref while Paris Saint-Germain thread at least 2.35 through balls every game. With the pace of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Moise Kean, Bayern Munich defenders will struggle to contain their opposition if they afford them the opportunity to hit them on the counter.
#4 Kylian Mbappe and co. can disrupt Bayern Munich's high-line and defensive plans
Bayern Munich are known to hold a high-line which enables them to play the possession game whilst keeping the ball in the opposition's half. However, it is not often that you come across an opposition that has players who are as skilful and as pacy as Kylian Mbappe.
This could majorly disrupt Bayern Munich's game plan as the defenders will need to be extra cautious when it comes to playing their passes. In addition to that, Paris Saint-Germain's full-back push way up the field and play almost as forwards when they are in possession.
This could confuse the Bayern Munich defenders as they'll be divided over which player to pick up and which player to let free.
#3 Neymar's return
When Paris Saint-Germain played Barcelona in the Round of 16, they were without their main-man Neymar Jr. The Brazilian was their most influential player in the group stages but unfortunately picked up a thigh injury before the start of the knockout stages.
Paris Saint-Germain were formidable enough without him and beat Barcelona 5-2 on aggregate. Now that he is back, they will be even stronger. Neymar is the kind of player who can turn a game on its head all by himself. With Kylian Mbappe and Di Maria alongside him, Neymar is all set to wreak havoc at the Allianz Arena tonight.
#2 Paris Saint-Germain's midfield overload
With Marco Verratti ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19 and Leander Paredes ruled out of the game through suspension, Neymar is most likely to start at attacking midfield. Di Maria will pick up the right-wing and Mbappe will start on the left.
Moise Kean or Mauro Icardi will lead the attack. When Paris Saint-Germain took on Bayern Munich in the final of the Champions League last year, they were without a striker causing Neymar and Mbappe to spearhead the attack.
However, with the likes of Kean and Icardi, who are both sharp in front of goal, Paris Saint-Germain can make use of Neymar's playmaking and dribbling abilities. Neymar will most probably come up against Kimmich in central midfield and the Brazilian will hound the Bayern Munich holding midfielder throughout the night.
Neymar and Di Maria will also keep engaging the Bavarians in 1v1 duels which will in turn attract defenders to them, causing space to be opened up for the forwards to run into. Neymar and Di Maria will be supported by the steely Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye.
The tenacious duo will not allow Bayern Munich midfielders time on the ball and they have the right type of personnel to facilitate a quick transition as well.
#1 Bayern Munich will be without Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry
Bayern Munich received their biggest blow of the season so far when Robert Lewandowski picked up a knee injury while on international duty. He has been ruled out for both legs against Paris Saint-Germain.
To make things worse, winger Serge Gnabry has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been ruled out as well. With two of their main attacking outlets sidelined, Bayern Munich could be blunt going forward.
Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting is next in line to start as striker but the gulf in class between Lewandowski and him is way too much. Hansi Flick could go for a different plan altogether but one thing is for sure and it is that Bayern Munich won't be at their usual free-flowing best in the final third.
