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The Champions League is finally here after months of uncertainty and chaos surrounding European football's premier competition. Both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed extraordinary campaigns so far and will lock horns in tomorrow's showpiece event at Lisbon.
Bayern Munich is arguably one of the efficient teams in the world at the moment and is deservedly to win tomorrow's game. The Bavarians are in the form of their lives and come into this fixture after hammering Barcelona and Lyon by 8-2 and 3-0 margins respectively.
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Paris Saint-Germain's enigmatic forwards will be a source of worry for Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain possesses one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in Europe at the moment. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are generational talents and can ruthlessly punish the best teams in Europe when they are on song. Paris Saint-Germain also has a reliable midfield and defence and are more than a match for a powerful Bayern Munich side.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have swept their respective domestic competitions this season and can win an unprecedented treble with a victory tomorrow. Both Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel have done excellent jobs with their teams and while the tactical battle between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will likely dictate the result of the game, it will also give rise to several exhilarating battles on the pitch.
#5 Thomas Muller vs Marquinhos
In addition to smashing a number of Bundesliga assist records this season, Thomas Muller has also waved his magic wand in the Champions League on several occasions in the past few weeks. The German forward has transitioned into an attacking midfielder under Hansi Flick and his relatively free role in the Bayern Munich side allows him to dictate his team's forward forays.
Thomas Muller enjoyed one of the games of his life against Barcelona in the quarterfinals and scored two goals and created countless other chances to humiliate the Blaugrana. The World Cup winner is one of the most intelligent players in the world and his movements will trouble Paris Saint-Germain's midfield.
Marquinhos will have to be at his absolute best to stand a chance against Thomas Muller's wily endeavours on the pitch. The Brazilian midfielder is Paris Saint-Germain's primary ball-winner in the middle of the pitch and his performance against Bayern Munich's experienced attacker may well dictate the outcome of the game.
#4 Serge Gnabry vs Juan Bernat
Serge Gnabry has enjoyed a stellar Champions League 2019/20 campaign and has had a record-breaking season in his own right. The Bayern Munich winger channelled his inner Arjen Robben against Lyon when he picked the ball up on the right, held onto it despite pressure from onrushing defenders and unleashed a venomous left-footed strike into the top corner to break the deadlock.
The 25-year-old has undoubtedly been one of the standout players in the Champions League for Bayern Munich and has a stunning nine goals and two assists. His Bundesliga campaign was a remarkably successful one as well as he managed 12 goals and ten assists in the league.
Juan Bernat has constantly pushed up the pitch at every opportunity for Paris Saint-Germain, but against Bayern Munich, he will have to keep a keen eye on Gnabry. If not, the former Arsenal ace has enough quality to punish the Spaniard even before the latter can look back and realise what hit him.
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#3 Robert Lewandowski vs Thiago Silva
Robert Lewandowski is virtually unplayable at the moment. The Bayern Munich striker is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League at the moment and has scored an astonishing 15 goals from 10 games in the campaign. Lewandowski sets incredibly high standards for himself and will be disappointed if he does not get on to the scoresheet against Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern Munich has benefitted immensely from Robert Lewandowski's presence in the final third. The Polish hitman looks as hungry as ever and worked his way to a mandatory late goal against Lyon in the semi-finals. Lewandowski rarely misses out on a chance to make an impact on the big stage for Bayern Munich and will be Paris Saint-Germain's primary source of concern going into this fixture.
Thiago Silva will likely play his last game as a Paris Saint-Germain defender tomorrow and will want to say his final goodbyes by keeping the best striker in the world in his pocket. The prospect of facing Bayern Munich will send shudders down most defenders' spines but Thiago Silva has plenty of big-game experience and is perfectly equipped to step up to the plate.
#2 Kylian Mbappe vs Alphonso Davies
Kylian Mbappe, at his best, can rip any defence apart. The French forward can play across the front line for Paris Saint-Germain and has regularly started on both the left and the right flanks this season. The French forward's sheer pace makes him a frightening and inspiring sight on the pitch.
If Kylian Mbappe decides to venture into the right flank tomorrow, he will have to get the better of Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich left-back is arguably the only player in the world who can match Mbappe for sheer pace and acceleration. Alphonso Davies will have to use all his pace and prowess to nullify Paris Saint-Germain's scathing counter-attacks and Kylian Mbappe is sure to be the driving force behind most of them.
The Canadian full-back is also known for his devastating dribbles and makes frequent forays into opposition territory for Bayern Munich. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe on the pitch, Alphonso Davies may have to curb his attacking instincts to ensure that Manuel Neuer's goal is secure.
#1 Neymar vs David Alaba
Plenty of criticism has come Neymar's way since his decision to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The French powerhouse has failed to succeed in several Champions League campaigns and Neymar's stint with Paris Saint-Germain has been considered as a failure in the past.
That may well change tomorrow if the outrageously talented Brazilian decides to make history with Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions have never won the Champions League and all their hopes rest on Neymar tomorrow. The Brazilian genius can alter the course of his career with one kick of the ball against Bayern Munich and write his name into the history books with a Champions League title at Paris Saint-Germain.
David Alaba will be tasked with the unenviable responsibility of keeping Neymar quiet in the Champions League final. Neymar has taken up a more central and creative role for Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich will try to crowd the Brazilian when he is on the ball.
Neymar is perfectly capable of winning multiple individual battles on the pitch and Bayern Munich veteran David Alaba is likely to be one of the only players standing between him and Champions League glory with Paris Saint-Germain.
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