PSG OVERCOMES BAYERN AS ARSENAL PLOTS AGAINST ATLETICO

By: Gyang Dakwo

In a Champions League game for the ages, PSG and Bayern served up a nine-goal classic that will live long in the memory.

The two top-scoring sides in the competition this season produced a fitting contest for those who suggested they should have been meeting in the Budapest final next month.

After a relatively quiet opening the game sparked into life when Willian Pacho fouled Luis Díaz in the box, Harry Kane converting the resulting penalty for his 54th goal of the season.

Just seven minutes later, though, Paris were level, Kvaratskhelia cutting inside Josip Stanisic before curling a shot beyond Manuel Neuer for his sixth goal in his last six Champions League appearances.

Joao Neves had already scored against Bayern in the league phase earlier this season, and the Portuguese midfielder got in on the act again just after the half-hour mark, rising highest to send a glancing header in from Dembele’s corner.

There was barely time to draw breath again before Bayern had equalised, Michael Olise displaying his trademark fancy footwork to tiptoe into the box before fizzing a fierce effort past Matvei Safonov.

Just when it seemed the scores would be level going into the break there was a final twist, Alphonso Davies handling in the box and Dembele finishing from the spot to give Paris the slender advantage after a dazzling first period.

Paris started the second period at breakneck speed, Kvaratskhelia getting his second by tucking in Achraf Hakimi’s cross before Dembele scored his second and Paris’ fifth with a powerful near-post strike.

It looked as though Bayern were down and out, but somehow they clawed their way back into it. Dayot Upamecano nodded in from Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick, and just three minutes later Luis Diaz brilliantly took down Kane’s long ball and bent in at the far post.

That was, finally, to be the end of the scoring on an unforgettable evening, and all attention now turns towards the return in Munich next Wednesday.

Meanwhile Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his players to deliver a statement victory in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday (Today).

Arsenal are just two matches away from a first Champions League final in 20 years in their quest to make history, having never previously won Europe’s grandest tournament.

The Gunners fell at the semi-final stage last season following an underwhelming 1-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in their opening leg at the Emirates Stadium. A 2-1 defeat in Paris followed as they crashed out.