One of the best Champions League games in recent years took place tonight at the Allianz Arena where a resilient Paris Saint-Germain managed to defeat current holders Bayern Munich 3-2 despite being on the back foot for much of the game.

PSG hit the front with just 3 minutes on the clock through who else but Kylian Mbappe. He was played through by another superstar in Neymar and left with plenty of space to get his shot off just outside the 6-yard box. That’s just what he did, firing low into the back of the net to put his team 1-0 ahead. Manuel Neuer, normally so reliable in goals for Bayern Munich, was partly at fault for the goal. He dived early towards the far post thinking that’s where Mbappe was aiming. Instead, Mbappe’s effort went straight down the middle of the goal and through Neuer’s legs as he dived to his right.

Bayern had a number of opportunities afterwards, including clear cut chances for both Leon Goretzka and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who both failed to make it count, the former’s effort going straight at the ‘keeper and the latter shooting wide.

Their missed opportunities would come back to haunt them as Paris Saint-Germain extended their lead in the 28^th minute. Neymar was heavily involved once again, lifting a beautiful ball into the box and catching out the Bayern Munich defence as they attempted to advance up the pitch. Marquinhos was alert to Neymar’s creativity and made a perfectly timed run into the box, took the ball down expertly and finishing with aplomb past Manuel Neuer to make it 2-0.

Bayern Munich were knocking at the door for much of the match and were perhaps slightly unfortunate to be down 2-0. They eventually made their pressure count, though, as they pulled one back in the 37^th minute. Benjamin Pavard swung a great cross into the penalty area and Choupo-Moting – replacing the injured Robert Lewandowski – got his head to the ball and diverted his effort past Keylor Navas into the net.

The half-time whistle sounded with Bayern Munich behind 2-1 despite controlling much of the contest. The difference between the two teams being the clinical edge as PSG took the few chances they had.

After such an exhilarating first half, few would have expected the second half to reach the same intensity. However, it proved to be just as entertaining, if not more.

PSG had the first big chance of the half just minutes after it commenced. Mbappe managed to steal the ball off Leroy Sane which led to the ball ending up at Neymar’s feet. The Brazilian shot at goal but Manuel Neuer produced a brilliant save, atoning for his earlier mistake. Di Maria got a shot off on the rebound but Alphonso Davies cleared off the line.

Bayern Munich begun to dominate again after that opportunity and managed to grab their equaliser in the 60^th minute. Kimmich, who was quietly controlling the game to that point, lofted a great ball into the box which was met by the head of Thomas Muller and directed into the bottom left corner. 2-2.

Again, Bayern were completely controlling the game. However, they failed to deal with PSG’s counter attacks time and time again. One man that you don’t want running at you on the counter is Kylian Mbappe, but that’s exactly what he did in the 67^th minute, charging at the Bayern defence before cutting inside and finishing precisely at the near post to make it 3-2.

The pace of the game slightly slowed down afterwards but Bayern still managed to create a handful of half chances before the full-time whistle. But, as was the story of the night, they failed to capitalise on those chances.

The match finished 3-2 to PSG who came away with a win and 3 vital away goals.

Throughout the 90, Bayern managed 31 shots to PSG’s 6. However, the result is the only thing that matters and Pochettino will be presumably be very happy with the night’s proceedings.

It’s all over in Munich as @PSG_English win the first-leg! @FCBayern 2⃣
Choupo-Moting 37′
Müller 60′ @PSG_English 3⃣
Mbappé 3′ & 68′
Marquinhos 28′ #𝗙𝗖𝗕𝗣𝗦𝗚 #UCL pic.twitter.com/2wHNVfiG5f

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) APRIL 7, 2021

In the other match tonight, Chelsea took on Porto who defeated Juventus over two legs in the last round to book their place in the quarter-finals.

They were unable to overcome Chelsea on the night, though.

Mason Mount scored the first goal in the 32^nd minute, turning fantastically before driving his shot low towards the far post and past the Porto ‘keeper.

Ben Chilwell wrapped up the victory in the 85^th minute with an equally impressive goal. He charged down the left flank, stole the ball from the Porto defender before advancing towards goal, taking it around the ‘keeper and slotting easily into the net.

The two away goals on the night could prove crucial in the return tie. Porto must score at least 3 goals to guarantee automatic qualification to the semi-finals.

ft. ADVANTAGE CHELSEA! #PORCHE pic.twitter.com/q0i0Jyvr25

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) APRIL 7, 2021

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The Champions League round of 16 continued tonight after it’s commencement last week which seen a number of surprise results, no less than PSG’s impressive 4-1 victory over Barcelona.

Tonight’s fixtures seen Chelsea and Atlético Madrid meet in the neutral venue of the National Arena in Romania, Lazio were in a more familiar setting as they faced current Champions League champions Bayern Munich in Stadio Olimpico.

Here’s how the fixtures played out.

Atlético Madrid vs. Chelsea

Despite their less than impressive early season form, Chelsea look a rejuvenated side under the management of Thomas Tuchel.

Before their draw against Southampton at the weekend, they won their previous 5 games in all competitions.

Atlético Madrid, though, were going to be no pushovers. Despite normally finding themselves in the shadow of their competition Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atlético have shown this season that they’re a force to be reckoned with, currently sitting 1st in La Liga.

Despite being played in a neutral venue in Romania, Chelsea were seen as the away side meaning they would have the advantage of away goals.

In truth, it wasn’t a match of many opportunities and it always looked likely that a moment of magic would separate the two sides.

That moment was provided by Olivier Giroud. He scored a spectacular bicycle kick from the penalty spot after a slight mix up in the box. Initially, the goal was disallowed but after some consultation with VAR, the decision was overturned and the goal stood.

Crucially, Giroud’s strike also counted as a Chelsea away goal which would be crucial going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Giroud’s strike made the difference in the end as the match finished 1-0 to Chelsea.

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich

Current Bundesliga and Champions League title holders Bayern Munich travelled to Rome in tonight’s other fixture to take on Lazio.

Bayern unusually failed to pick up a win in their last two Bundesliga games, drawing 3-3 with Arminia and losing 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. Despite this, they were still seen as favourites for the tie given the strength of their side.

It didn’t take long for them to show why they were favourites going into the game.

Current FIFA Player of the Year Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring just before the 10 minute mark. The goal came as a result of a poor back pass from a Lazio defender which fell straight to Lewandowski’s feet who rounded the keeper and slotted into the net with ease.

17-year-old English underage international Jamal Musiala was a surprise inclusion in the first XI but he proved he was worth his place in the squad by doubling Bayern’s advantage in the 23rd minute. He finished low into the net from the edge of the area after a flowing Bayern build-up.

Leroy Sané scored his side’s 3rd just before half time with a tap-in from a rebound.

Bayern started the second half much as they finished the first.

They launched a counter attack from a Lazio corner shortly after the second half commenced before Leroy Sané’s low cross was diverted into the net by Lazio defender, Francesco Acerbi.

However, Lazio did get one back just minutes afterwards. Joaquin Correa received the ball just outside the box before dribbling past a couple of challenges and finishing low into the net.

No further goals followed as the match finished as a convincing 4-1 victory to Bayern Munich which will likely take them through to the next round.

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Bayern Munich have had an incredible year. Between winning the UEFA Champions League, German Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, they could hardly have done much better.

They were given the chance to further add to their trophy cabinet this evening as they took on Mexican side Tigres in the Club World Cup final, which was last won by Liverpool.

It was Tigres’ first appearance in the final of the Club World Cup. In fact, they were the first Mexican side to ever reach that stage.

Tigres beat South Korean side Ulsan and Brazilian giants Palmeiras on their way to the final while Bayern defeated Egyptian side Al Ahly SC in the semi-final.

As many would have expected, Bayern Munich scored the opening goal.

However, their celebrations wouldn’t last long.

Joshua Kimmich, who has been excellent for Bayern in recent times, struck from outside the area and his effort found the bottom corner. However, upon further review the goal was controversially ruled out as Robert Lewandowski was adjudged to be obstructing the view of the Tigres ‘keeper.

Tigres were likely the happier side going into the break as the first half ended scoreless.

Bayern were unusually quiet in their attacking output, finding it hard to penetrate the Tigres backline. Hansi Flick needed a much better second half performance from his side.

Bayern started the second similar to how they played in the first in that they lacked their usual attacking threat.

However, after a period of inactivity from both teams, Bayern found the net in the 59^th minute.

Robert Lewandowski was initially played in from a good cross and his header was saved by the keeper. Benjamin Pavard was in the right position to pounce on the rebound, though, as he slotted into the back of the net.

The goal was initially disallowed for offside but VAR came to the rescue of Bayern this time. After a period of deliberation between the officials, the ruling was overturned and the goal stood.

Bayern had a number of chances to add to the scoreline thereafter but were unable to find the back of the net again.

The match finished 1-0.

Despite a respectable performance from Tigres, the German champions proved their quality in the end as they won their 2^nd FIFA Club World Cup.

— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) February 11, 2021

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Robert Lewandowski has been awarded Best Men’s Player of the Year by FIFA, beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the process. 

The striker enjoyed an unprecedented year, winning a host of team and individual awards including; the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and Bundesliga Player of the Season. His performances over the past year meant he was favourite to win the award and rightly so.

He scored 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga games last season and has continued his form into this season, netting 15 times in just 11 games.

Footballers tend to decline into their 30’s but Lewandowski has shown no sign of slowing down. In fact, you could argue he’s only getting better. He’s in better shape than ever and his progress off the pitch is bearing results for his club and country. Much credit should go to Bayern Munich whose strength and conditioning programme has physically transformed several of their players.

The next step for Lewandowski is to enter 2021 in the same vain as he started and finished 2020. He will no doubt have his eyes on the 2021 Ballon d’Or, an award his missed out on this year due to cancellation owing to Covid-19.

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Ronaldo vs Messi

The Champions League draw for the new season took place yesterday evening and there was one fixture in particular that caught the eye. Juventus vs Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi. The two heavyweights of the footballing world have not faced each other since Ronaldo ditched Madrid for Turin in 2018. Both teams occupy Group G along with Dynamo Kiev and Ferencváros. The latter, hailing from Hungary, have reached the Champions League group stages for the first time in 25 years.

Tough Draw for Ole’s Men

Amongst the Premier League sides, Manchester United were handed the toughest draw. They will go to battle against  2019/20 runners-up Paris Saint-Germain, as well as semi-finalists RB Leipzig.

The 2018/19 winners Liverpool will have to overcome sturdy opposition in the form of Ajax and Atalanta. Both teams thrived in the ‘underdog’ role over the last two years. Most recently, Atalanta became a neutral fan’s favourite after heroic performances against the likes of Manchester City and Valencia in last season’s competition.

Having found themselves in Pot 2 for this year’s draw, Pep Guardiola’s team will be relieved as they managed to avoid the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG and Juventus. Group C is made up of Porto, Man City, Olympiacos and Marseille. It has been almost 10 years since a Guardiola team last won the trophy.

After a poor start to the Premier League season, Chelsea will need to find some form as they matched with Europa League winners Sevilla. Krasnador and Rennes make up the remainder of the group.

Back-to-Back for Bayern?

In order to retain the title for a second year, Bayern Munich must see off the challenges of Atletico Madrid, RB Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow in Group A. After dominating last season’s competition, Bayern will be favourites to lift the coveted trophy once again.

Thirteen-time winners Real Madrid spearhead Group B. The Spanish giants have ties against Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan and Borussia Mönchengladbach to look forward to. You can find the full draw below, with the first round of group games due to begin on October 20^th.

Group A: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, RB Salzburg, Lokomotiv Moscow

Group B: Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Borussia Mönchengladbach

Group C: FC Porto, Manchester City, Olympiacos, Marseille

Group D: Liverpool, Ajax, Atalanta, FC Midtjylland

Group E: Sevilla, Chelsea, Krasnodar, Rennes

Group F: Zenit, Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Bruges

Group G: Juventus, Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev, Ferencváros

Group H: PSG, Manchester United, RB Leipzig, İstanbul Başakşehir

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