CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Late Kane goal not enough as PSG hold Bayern to return to the final
MUNICH: Paris Saint-Germain set up a Champions League final against Arsenal as they overcame Bayern Munich to stay on course to retain their crown.
The semi-final second leg was not a classic like the first encounter in Paris, which saw Luis Enrique’s holders take a 5-4 advantage to Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane scored his 55th goal of the season for Bayern deep into stoppage time, but it could not provide any consolation on a night of bitter disappointment for Vincent Kompany’s side.
It was almost impossible to repeat the stunning standards of the first leg, but this was still a game of high quality and opportunities.
PSG took their first chance after only three minutes when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s brilliant run and cross set up Ousmane Dembele for a thumping finish. In an electric atmosphere, Bayern tried to force their way back into the tie, but Kane was mostly kept at arm’s length and the hosts were frustrated.
Bayern were convinced they should have had a first-half penalty when Vitinha rifled a clearance against Joao Neves’s arm inside the box, but the laws state a spot-kick cannot be given if the ball has been played by a team-mate.
PSG created the better opportunities after the break, with Desire Doue coming close on several occasions, but Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer formed a formidable barrier.
Bayern pressed tirelessly, with Kane striking superbly late on, but could not recover the deficit and PSG will now meet Arsenal in Budapest on Saturday, 30 May.
PSG analysis: Luis Enrique has built complete package
With manager Luis Enrique leading PSG to a second successive Champions League final, it continues the emergence and development of one of the outstanding sides of recent years.
PSG flourished brilliantly in the second half of last season to beat the Premier League elite of Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal before the historic 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the final.
In the same Allianz Arena where Inter were so decisively dismissed last season, PSG held Bayern at bay with maturity and a mix of attacking brilliance and superb defending.
PSG’s early goal was a hammer blow to Bayern and a perfect example of the lethal threat they possess, with Kvaratskhelia and Dembele combining to deadly effect.
They were dangerous throughout, particularly in the shape of Doue and Kvaratskhelia, but huge credit must go to PSG in the defensive context too, with veteran Marquinhos marshalling the back line magnificently.
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