Giants in comparison. The Champions League final between PSG and Bayern (at 21), in fact, pits two of the biggest heavyweights in the entire football scene and for this very reason promises endless goals and entertainment. The fairy tales Leipzig and Lyon have stopped in the face of so much power, despite the fact that the single race formula seemed designed especially for them. Parisians and Bavarians, moreover, have invested avalanches of millions to reach the roof of Europe, even if the analogies, to tell the truth, stop there. In fact, it is impossible to compare the history of the Germans with that of the French: the former have already won 5 European Cups (the last one in 2013), the latter are in their first final.
One could say that money will challenge tradition, except that Bayern also have a certain economic weight, even if used in a different way. Suffice it to say that Flick's starting eleven, net of players built in the nursery, cost 95 million, while that of Tuchel even 633,5: frightening numbers, which demonstrate the two opposing philosophies of the clubs. The paradox, however, is that the favorite team is definitely Bayern, testifying to how money, more often than not, leads to nothing without ideas. “They are a great team and have fast players, we will have to organize our defense well – explained Flick. – We know that our strength is to put the opponents under pressure, in our matches we have always tried to impose our style, playing with the top line: we have achieved results, we won't change much this time either. We have seen all their matches and we know their qualities, they are very similar to Barcelona…”.
The reference to the 8-2 of the quarter-finals is part of that typically German irony (?), so subtle that it often turns into arrogance. Certain, that evening's Bayern would be unplayable for everyone, the one seen a few days later against Lyon, on the other hand, is decidedly less scary. Tuchel knows this well, also because, with all due respect to Garcia's team, he has much more potential. “I think teams like Bayern Munich, who are used to playing this kind of match, have a slight advantage in the final given that they are used to playing them – explained the PSG coach. – Having said that, I don't think it's a decisive advantage, we are here to play in the final and win it. Obviously it's the biggest challenge of my career, it's hard to describe my emotions: I'm exhausted and happy. We won't prepare anything special, because the game is already special."
On paper, as previously mentioned, Bayern are the favorites, even if not overwhelmingly. Both teams have their strength in the offensive phase, therefore it remains to be seen who will be able to do it better, or, alternatively, concede one goal less than their opponents. Both Flick and Tuchel will have all the men available, even if the "Parisian" (who is actually German and former Borussia Dortmund coach) will have to deal with a Verratti who is still far from his best form and only ready for the bench. Bayern will field a 4-2-3-1 with Neuer in goal, Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba and Davies in defence, Thiago Alcantara and Goretzka in midfield, Perisic, Müller and Gnabry in the frontline, Lewandowski in attack.
PSG will respond with a 4-3-3 formation that will see Keylor Navas in goal, Kehrer, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe and Bernat in the back, Herrera, Marquinhos and Paredes in the midfield. Di Maria, Mbappé and Neymar in the offensive trident. Only the bench, once again, for Mauro Icardi, who has slipped to the bottom of Tuchel's hierarchies: his Champions League final, at the moment, is more virtual than anything else. On the other hand, that of Orsato and his collaborators, designated by UEFA to direct the very prestigious challenge, will be very true. In short, there will be a bit of Italy, even if this will not be enough to alleviate the disappointments of our teams, who have already been forced to act as spectators for several rounds.
