Lisbon: Bayern Munich were crowned European champions for the sixth time after beating Paris St Germain 1-0 thanks to a second-half header from former PSG youth academy graduate Kingsley Coman in an absorbing Champions League final on Sunday. France international Coman appeared at the back post to head the decisive goal in the 59th minute as Bayern became the first team to lift the Champions League with a 100 per cent record.
There were no fans to witness the triumph but Bayern celebrated as though 80,000 were cheering and, even as the lights went out nearly two hours after the final whistle, three players still sat in the centre circle, savouring the moment.
🔴 Congratulations, Bayern – winners of the 2020 UEFA Champions League! 🎉🎉🎉#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/ksKeqmgliR
— #UCLfinal (@ChampionsLeague) August 23, 2020
The victory at the Estadio da Luz, deserved after a dogged display once Bayern got in front, secured a second treble for the Germans, the Bundesliga and German Cup winners, and completed a remarkable first season for coach Hansi Flick.
Flick took over a struggling side in November after a 5-1 hammering by Eintracht Frankfurt led to the sacking of Niko Kovac with the club fourth in the Bundesliga. “It feels fantastic, we have a long journey behind us,” said Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller. “We came from very low, at least that is what it felt like, in the autumn and put in a sensational run. We had a bit of luck tonight and had (Manuel) Neuer in goal,” he added.
PSG, who were playing in their first Champions League final, paid the price for wastefulness in the first half as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe failed to beat Manuel Neuer from close range. “We’re sad but we don’t forget all the positive things we did this season,” said PSG’s Qatari president Nasser al Khelaifi.
After a cagey opening, Neymar burst into life in the 18th minute, scampering into the box and firing off a left-foot shot but Neuer’s outstretched leg foiled the Brazilian. It was hardly an easy chance but it was the kind of opportunity that PSG fans were hoping their 222 million euro ($261.89 million) striker would turn into a moment of glory.
Mr. Lisbon 🏆 #MiaSanChampions #Coman pic.twitter.com/rjOuABXaaV
— CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE 🏆 (@FCBayernEN) August 24, 2020
It was a scrappy start to the second half with both sides struggling to find any composure but the game came alive just before the hour mark. After a well-worked move down the right Joshua Kimmich picked out Coman at the back post and he got behind Thilo Kehrer to head firmly into the bottom corner.
“We have to create a great team to follow up on this campaign. That’s our challenge,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told a news conference. “I’m going to talk with (sporting director) Leonardo and the people in charge to create that team. “Right now it’s difficult to sleep, it’s difficult to speak, it’s difficult to explain,” added midfielder Ander Herrera.
“But, from tomorrow, at least myself, and I’m sure my teammates as well, we’re going to start again. We’ve built something very, very important for the club.”
