Kingsley Coman haunts misfiring PSG as Bayern gain advantage; Milan get slender lead in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
The UEFA Champions League resumed on Tuesday night with big fixtures lined up in the Round of 16 first-leg ties. Kingsley Coman scored the only goal early in the second half to haunt his former club, PSG. Coman was also the difference when the two sides met in the Champions League final in 2020.
A tough second leg awaits PSG away at Bayern on 8th March. Julian Nagelsmann’s team are unbeaten in all competitions since 17 September and will have a one-goal advantage as they host PSG in the second leg of the Round of 16 fixture.
The German giants’ coach was tactically brilliant on the night, using a 3-4-2-1 formation. This was the key to unlocking PSG’s defense who were overworked as they midfield overrun. The forwards, Neymar and Messi, simply could not find their mark on the night.
Hakimi was back in the squad after a hamstring issue but could not finish the match and was taken off at halftime with another thigh issue. Kylian Mbappe was also not fit, according to multiple reports, but the striker’s performance was impeccable after being brought on in the second half. A disallowed goal from a striker who had been sidelined for close to 3 weeks is quite the statement.
At the age of 16 years and 343 days, PSG’s Warren Zare-Emery made history by being the youngest player to ever begin a Champions League knockout round fixture.
Another humiliating loss to Bayern increases the pressure on PSG manager Christophe Galtier after defeats to Marseille in the Coupe de France and Monaco in Ligue 1.
Milan Beat Tottenham
Tottenham midfield troubles saw them lose 1-0 at a hostile San Siro. Antonio Conte will be feeling optimistic about the second leg. The Tottenham boss had to field Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr in midfield following injuries to Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Speaking after the 1-0 loss in Italy, Conte said, “I know the San Siro and I know the difficulty to play with this atmosphere…In the second game, we have to play at our stadium and our fans will create the atmosphere to help us overcome the Milan obstacle.”
Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao, and former Manchester City striker Brahim Diaz led the Milan attack. According to EveningStandard, Milan are one step away from reaching their first quarter-final in 11 years.
AC Milan took the lead in just 7 minutes, through Brahim Diaz. His initial effort on goal was saved by Fraser Forster in Spurs’ goal before he latched on to the rebound to give the Italian champions the lead. Despite being in poor form, failing to score in three of their last fixtures, this was the perfect side for Stefano Pioli’s men.
Tottenham dominated possession and looked comfortable on the ball, but Milan were mostly on the counter-attacks, playing deep in midfield. Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw could have easily extended the lead for Milan, but their efforts were both headed wide. Milan saw out pressure at the end to claim a famous win over the English Premier League side.
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