Challenged at home, Bayern Munich’s season faces true test in Paris

13.02.2023 - 05:39 arabnews.com

BERLIN: Bayern Munich travel to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday knowing defeat in the tie will represent a failed season regardless of domestic triumphs.

After Saturday’s home defeat of Bochum, Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann cut a frustrated figure and looked anything but a coach who had just masterminded another week atop the Bunesliga table with a comfortable 3-0 home win. “There was too little movement” the 35-year-old said, promising “if we play like that on Tuesday, we won’t go any further (in the Champions League).” Nagelsmann even threw a little warning to his starting 11 on Saturday, saying his team “only got better after the 60th minute (when) the substitutions brought fresh momentum.” “That’s when we earned the result, not before.

We have to improve before Tuesday.” The reality of the superclub era is that domestic success will matter little for Nagelsmann — just like his PSG counterpart Christophe Galtier.

Other managers have been shown the door at Bayern for less. Niko Kovac was fired the year after winning the league-cup double with the side still in Champions League contention — Bayern eventually lifted the trophy later that season under Hansi Flick.

Champions League Test Lionel Messi Bayern Munich Julian Nagelsmann Marcus Rashford Belinda Bencic Carlo Ancelotti Christophe Galtier Jean Eric Vergne Paris Saint-Germain Manchester Abu Dhabi Uae India Paris Berlin

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Ongoing uncertainty about letting Russian athletes try to qualify for the Paris Olympics affects “less than half” of its 32 sports, the umbrella group of Summer Games governing bodies said on Friday. Those sports have an urgent need for more clarity from the International Olympic Committee with qualification events pending less than 17 months before the opening ceremony in Paris. Most sports bodies are still imposing a year-old ban on Russia and its military ally Belarus because of their war in Ukraine — a ban recommended by the IOC citing the security of athletes before shifting its position as Paris nears.

PSG's Neymar 'not available' for Bayern Munich clash

Neymar has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last 16 second leg against Bayern Munich next week, the Ligue 1 club's coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday.

PSG's Neymar Jr 'Not Available' For Bayern Munich Clash

Neymar has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last 16 second leg against Bayern Munich next week, the Ligue 1 club's coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday. The Brazilian forward, who played in the first leg of the tie which Bayern won 1-0 in Paris, injured his right ankle against Lille two weeks ago. "For the next two games, we will not have Ney available," said Galtier at the press conference ahead of PSG's Ligue 1 match against Nantes.

Bayern face defensive puzzle ahead of PSG clash next week

MUNICH, Germany : Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann must solve a defensive riddle ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart and next week's Champions League clash against Paris St Germain.

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.

Dortmund's winning streak faces stern Leipzig test

BERLIN : Borussia Dortmund's seven-match winning streak in the Bundesliga this year has their fans dreaming of their first league title in more than a decade but their run will be put to the test on Friday against Marco Rose's in-form RB Leipzig.