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PSG’s Lavish Project Undone By Former Youth Product Kingsley Coman

With all the money spent by Paris Saint-Germain on this lavish, decade-long Champions League project, it’s a sensational piece of irony that Bayern Munich’s game-winning goal in Sunday’s final was scored by a PSG youth product, the Parisian Kingsley Coman.

At 16 years, eight months and four days, Coman remains PSG’s youngest-ever senior player. However, he’d go on to make only three further appearances as the club prioritized star power over youth development, and Coman signed for Juventus on a free transfer in 2014 before eventually joining Bayern permanently after a couple loan spells in Germany.

Coman wasn’t even a certain starter today after Ivan Perišić had taken his place in the semifinal victory over Lyon, but the winger rewarded Hansi Flick’s decision in the 59th minute after his ghosting run to the far post was beautifully picked out by Joshua Kimmich.   

Heading into the match, many predicted that Bayern Munich’s high defensive line — which went unpunished by a wasteful Lyon last Wednesday — could be found out by PSG’s vaunted front three of Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Ángel Di María. Each had opportunities — as well as Marquinhos — to punish Bayern, but wasteful finishing and the play of Manuel Neuer secured the win for Bayern.

PSG Missed Opportunities 

Neymar shot saved by Neuer.

Di María blasts over after Ander Herrera’s disguised reverse ball. 

David Alaba’s mistake is redeemed by Mbappé's horrible finish.   

Marquinhos close-range effort saved by Neuer.

In the end, neither Neymar nor Mbappé got on the scoresheet during the three games in Portugal. While Mbappé will be haunted by his tame effort with the goal at his mercy, Neymar lost the ball more than any other player on the pitch and struggled to provide any incision with his passing and dribbling.

Coman, Kimmich and Neuer were the heroes for Bayern, which captured its sixth European crown to move ahead of Barcelona and equal with Liverpool for third-most all-time. Only Milan (seven) and Real Madrid (13) have more.  

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