Bayern Edge Misfiring PSG, Milan Sink Spurs
15 February, 2023
Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will take a narrow lead back to Germany after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in their round of 16 first-leg encounter at Parc des Princes.
PSG were boosted by the return of Lionel Messi, who joined Neymar, alongside 16-year old attacker Warren Zaire-Emery, as Kylian Mbappe was only fit enough to start from the bench.
As for Bayern, they recalled Joshua Kimmich and Kingsley Coman and dropped Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller to the bench.
The Bavarians dictated matters in the early stages, as PSG set themselves up to attack on transitions but the game only came to life after the half-hour mark, as Julian Nagelsmann's charges forced issues but the hosts stood their ground defensively, as the first stanza lacked goals.
The German side eventually broke the deadlock early in the second stanza courtesy of a volley by Coman after a cross by Kingsley Coman.
Christophe Galtier responded by eventually bringing on Mbappe just after that in place of Carlos Soler, while Fabian Ruiz replaced Zaire-Emery. Mbappe made an immediate
Read More : Messi Stunner Seals Comeback Win For PSG
impact and thought he had snatched the equaliser in the last eight minutes after he smashed home a tap-in from Nuno Mendes' square pass but the goal was chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside in the build-up.Bayern made defensive changes as they weathered the storm in the dying minutes and despite having Benjamin Pavard sent off for a second bookable offense late on, they held on to a narrow win.
AC Milan 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
AC Milan took a slight advantage in the round of 16 first-leg clash after edging Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Spurs were without defensive midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg due to suspension as the front trio of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulusevski continued.
The Serie A side, meanwhile, also retained the front three of Olivier Giroud, Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao.
The Rossoneri had a perfect start after Diaz gave them an early lead with a diving header in the box from a rebound after goalkeeper Fraser Forster made a double-save.
The game was on the edge for much of the game, with both sides getting chances in front of goal but just not quite clinical.
Milan put Spurs under pressure in the closing stages and Junior Messias should have doubled their lead with ten minutes to go but missed the target with a header from point-blank range.
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