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The stage is set. Paris Saint Germain take on 5-time champions Bayern Munich on Sunday evening at the Estadio da Luz. The French outlet are hoping to win their first-ever Champions League title, although they will start the game as slight underdogs. Both clubs have plenty of firepower up top, and they are at their best when controlling possession and taking the game to the opposition.
Both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are blessed with world-class talent in most areas of the pitch, and it will surely be an evening to remember for football fans around the globe. Especially for fans who love end-to-end football, it doesn't get any better than this match-up. Some generational forwards will take the field come Sunday, not to mention the classy midfielders both teams can boast of.
Let's take a look at 5 players who deserve your special attention.
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#5 Serge Gnabry - Bayern Munich
The Bayern Munich winger is in sensational form heading into the all-important game. He scored a brace in the semi-final against Olympique Lyonnais, and the first of the two was one to remember. He collected the ball on the right wing, and effortlessly glided past 3, 4 challenges before pinging the ball into the top left, out of the reach of the goalkeeper's outstretched arms.
Gnabry is the definition of a complete winger. Defenders don't know what will hit them. He is strong and extremely quick, so he can take on players with ease. He is a very underrated finisher and one of Bayern Munich's most handy scorers. To go with the aforementioned, he is also a very solid passer and can find a teammate when he decides to act as the creator.
Keep an eye out on him, because the 25-year-old takes very little time to impact the game. The PSG fullbacks will need to be on high alert to stop him from being as influential as he so often is.
#4 Angel Di Maria - Paris Saint-Germain
Just like Bayern Munich have Gnabry, PSG have a wizard on the wings themselves in the form of Angel Di Maria. Similar to his German counterpart, Di Maria led his team in the semi-final with a clutch performance that was too hot for RB Leipzig to deal with. His influence was far superior than just the one goal he scored, and he was a key figure in all the good things PSG did in the semi-final.
Angel Di Maria's experience in this competition speaks for itself, having already received a man of the match in the 2014 final with Real Madrid. The 32-year-old has delivered some of the best performances by anyone in PSG colours in the Champions League, and the Parisians will need yet another if they are to complete their project of winning football's most prestigious trophy against this impressive Bayern Munich side.
Also read: Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller warned Pep Guardiola of his 'weakness'
#3 Manuel Neuer - Bayern Munich
At 34 years of age, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer has made it his responsibility to turn this season into an opportunity for him to redeem himself after many claimed that the legendary German goalkeeper's best days were behind him. Neuer has once again reminded everyone that he is far from done, and he remains one of Europe's finest in his position.
His performance against Lyon in the semi-final was reminiscent of those that he used to put up on a weekly basis for Bayern Munich in his prime. He didn't put a foot wrong all night and saved as many as three one-on-ones against Lyon's pacy forwards.
Against just about any other goalkeeper, Lyon's Karl Toko-Ekambi would've had at least a goal, if not a brace. But Bayern Munich's number 1 was not to be beaten, as he closed down the striker brilliantly on two instances. His positioning also helped Memphis Depay miss what seemed like a simple chance to put Lyon ahead.
As good as Bayern Munich are, their defense can certainly be breached. Neuer will need to have a monumental game to keep PSG's superstars at bay.
#2 Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint Germain
It is mind-bending to think that Kylian Mbappe could possibly 'complete football' before his 22nd birthday. If he manages to help PSG to the Champions League title, he would have won a major league title, a major cup competition, the most prestigious European trophy, and most importantly the World Cup!
Mbappe is basically living a dream, and while the outcome of this final will have little impact on his future chances of winning it, he will certainly want to get done with it at the earliest. The Frenchman is one of the world's best players already at such a young age, so it is definitely not too early to expect him to lead his club to their first Champions League title.
Mbappe is the complete package. He can play anywhere in the front three, and can operate both as a direct goal threat, or a provider. His pace is perhaps too much for any defender to catch him (Alphonso Davies might have something to say about that) once he is at full steam. His quality on the ball is top-notch, and he can finish better than most players in the world.
#1 Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski needs a hat-trick to beat Cristiano Ronaldo's record of most goals in a Champions League campaign. The Pole is on 15, while Ronaldo's best-ever tally stands at 17. A hat-trick in a final might seem like a bit of a stretch, but if anyone can do the unthinkable right now, it is Robert Lewandowski.
The Bayern Munich legend, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Friday, has arguably been the best player on the planet this season. His goal-scoring numbers are off the charts. For starters, it is an unbelievable achievement for Lewandowksi to even be in touching distance of the said record, considering the fact that the knockout ties are one legged instead of the usual two.
Lewandowski is at the heart of almost all of Bayern Munich's attacks, and the biggest challenge PSG will face is that of keeping the Polish number 9 quiet. If Thiago Silva and co. manage to withstand the Lewandowski storm, they'd have taken a huge step towards victory.
Also read: 5 future stars currently being groomed at Bayern Munich
