Bayern Munich v Paris Saint Germain - Key Champions League Battles

13.02.2023 - 20:05 sports.ndtv.com

Bayern Munich take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, a heavyweight clash between clubs who faced off in the 2020 final.

Here's a look at some of the key match-ups which could determine where the tie is won and lost ahead of Tuesday's first leg: Christophe Galtier v Julian Nagelsmann After a strong start domestically, PSG's form has dropped off considerably since the turn of the year and coach Galtier finds himself entering a critical stretch of the season without Kylian Mbappe.

The France star, the joint-leading scorer in this season's Champions League with seven goals, will miss the first leg with a thigh injury and there are concerns over Lionel Messi too after the Argentine hurt his hamstring during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Marseille in the French Cup.

With Neymar yet to rediscover his best form since the World Cup either, Galtier must devise a plan that will allow a diminished PSG -- whose squad was also hit by a stomach bug at the weekend -- to avoid another European disappointment.

Lionel Messi Kylian Mbappe saint Germain Gianluigi Donnarumma Christophe Galtier Paris Saint-Germain Yann Sommer France Italy Argentina

Kylian Mbappe says his aim is ‘to write history’ after scoring his 201st Paris Saint-Germain goal to become the club’s record top scorer. Mbappe scored in stoppage time as PSG overcame Nantes 4-2 at the Parc des Princes to surpass Edinson Cavani’s tally of 200 in all competitions. Ad Lionel Messi, Danilo Pereira and a Jaouen Hadjam own-goal were enough to move Christophe Galtier’s side 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

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Kylian Mbappe became Paris St Germain's all-time leading scorer with his 201st goal in Saturday’s 4-2 Ligue 1 victory over Nantes.

Insatiable Kylian Mbappe With One Eye On PSG Goal Record And Another On Bayern Munich

Kylian Mbappe will lead Paris Saint-Germain into their meeting with Nantes on Saturday looking for the goal that will put him out on his own as the club's all-time top scorer as they get ready for a season-defining trip to Bayern Munich. Mbappe's brace in PSG's 3-0 win at bitter rivals Marseille last weekend took him to 200 goals for the Qatar-owned club and allowed him to equal his former teammate Edinson Cavani as their record marksman. It would be a surprise if a player who has four goals in his last two games since returning from a thigh injury did not find the net against Nantes at the Parc des Princes to claim the record outright.

Marseille 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain: Lionel Messi scores 700th career goal, Kylian Mbappe registers twice

Lionel Messi bagged the 700th goal of his professional career as Paris St-Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1. The World Cup winner was on target during the first half as his side breezed to a 3-0 victory at Marseille.

Kylian Mbappe denies criticising Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar after Brazilian stretchered off against Lille

With Paris Saint-Germain enduring a tricky run of form and fixtures, star forward Kylian Mbappe says that the last thing he and his teammates need is his internal divisions. Unfortunately for him, the France striker's words following PSG's 1-0 first-leg Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich — telling his teammates to eat and sleep well — were interpreted as a dig at teammate and Brazilian star Neymar. Ad Mbappe spoke to Canal+ after Tuesday's match, saying: «Everyone needs to be healthy, sleep well, eat well.

Angel Di Maria ‘surprised’ former club Paris Saint-Germain handed ‘all the power’ to Kylian Mbappe

Angel Di Maria was surprised Paris Sant-Germain handed “all the power” to Kylian Mbappe when the striker signed a new deal at the club. The 24-year-old French forward signed a three-year deal at the club in May, worth a reported £4 million a month, in addition to a £100 million signing-on fee.