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.
Bayern breaks the deadlock!
The Parisian, Kingsley Coman heads in the goal against his youth club pic.twitter.com/1Kejqy68GM— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020
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.
The first true chance for PSG comes from a sprinting Neymar who is denied by the heel of Neuer. pic.twitter.com/zt9veqYAep
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020
Di María blasts over after Ander Herrera’s disguised reverse ball.
¡Otra vez la desaprovecha el PSG!
Di María la mandó a las nubes y los parisinos siguen sin encontrar el arco. @PSG_espanol 0-0 @FCBayernES #TuChampions | #UCL | #PSG | #BayernMunichEn vivo
TUDN | @univision
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/qTTdxX1IWb pic.twitter.com/9BIPiBnfnD— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) August 23, 2020
David Alaba’s mistake is redeemed by Mbappé's horrible finish.
A massive opportunity squandered by Mbappe, who strikes it right at Neuer. pic.twitter.com/2iv9hpd60o
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020
Marquinhos close-range effort saved by Neuer.
Another stop from Neuer, this time a kick save to keep Bayern ahead. pic.twitter.com/SS27bUYHlu
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020
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.
