Lisbon
Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus warned Bayern Munich to defend deeper in Sunday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint Germain or risk blowing the treble. After demolishing Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-finals, Bayern endured a nervous start to Wednesday’s 3-0 semi-final win over Lyon, who wrecked havoc early on by getting in behind the Germans’ defence.
“Bayern had a harder time against Lyon than against Barcelona,” former Bayern midfielder and West Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus said on Wednesday. “If they play like that on Sunday, they won’t win the Champions League or live up to the role as favourites. “Paris have more quality than Barcelona and Lyon, they also have enough players who can put the ball into the key spaces.” Lyon squandered golden chances when quick passes into space initially forced Bayern onto the back foot. Memphis Depay fired wide and Toko Ekambi hit the post for Lyon in the opening 15 minutes before Serge Gnabry calmed Munich nerves with two first-half goals.
A late Robert Lewandowski header sealed the win to extend Bayern’s winning streak to 21 matches. Bayern’s ability to score is without question after racking up 42 goals in 10 European matches, 15 of which by Lewandowski, the Champions League’s top-scorer, while Gnabry is on nine. – Space to exploit – Yet their defence struggled on occasion.—AFP
