Prediction Time: Champions League Final
August 22, 2020 We are very delighted that so many people got back to us with their predictions. Besides our regular contributors featured in this article are: Cristian, who was previously chief of social media for FC Bayern in the US; Tim, who is a contributor for our friends from Bavarian Tweets; Chuck, who writes for Bavarian Football Works; Mark, who used to cover FC Bayern for ESPN; Mark (aka MUTU), from BayernForum.com, our former own Susie; and Eskender, our irregular contributor.
Cristian: Paris SG 1 – 2 FC Bayern
This will no doubt be Bayern’s most difficult game in the competition and all season but Hansi Flick’s team will cap off the single greatest Champions League campaign in club history in dramatic fashion. I think PSG will score first with the opening of the game playing out like the Lyon match, Bayern being exposed at the back on the counter, allowing Neymar and Mbappe space to get in behind and outpace Bayern’s defense. The club will gradually get in the game with chances aplenty from both sides but no breakthrough until the very end. Bayern will pull a Man Utd ‘99, scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes of the game to lift the Cup. Scorers: Neymar, Lewandowski, Müller
Georg: Paris SG 2 – 1 FC Bayern a.e.t.
Super high press meets super high press. Positional play meets positional play. Fun night incoming! Lewandowski will score on an early penalty. After the break, Tuchel adapts and Paris strikes back applying their signature play: the one timer. I envisage Neymar’s vertical through-ball between Alaba and Davies to Di María, who crosses down the 6-yard-line where Mbappé easily converts. In overtime Neymar scores the game winner after Bayern loses the ball in build-up.
Tim: Paris SG 2 – 3 FC Bayern a.e.t.
This is not easy. It is hard enough finding a suitable and realistic prediction; I cannot begin to imagine the difficulty that actually playing the game will be. Two sides that are dominant domestically appear to have shaken off the misfortune that has followed them for the past few seasons. It is anyone’s guess as to how it will go when the two tournament favourites face off on Sunday. Both Bayern and PSG boast incredible attacks and more than competent goalkeepers but the imbalance is found elsewhere on the pitch. PSG have a more durable defence, Bayern have a superior midfield. The most important factor in all of this will be where Flick positions his defensive line as a front three of Neymar, Mbappé and Di María have the potential to break through the space that Bayern have regularly afforded their opponents. They have already been caught out by Barcelona once and even Bayer Leverkusen earlier this season – cautious optimism should be the name of the game. As for Bayern’s goalscorers, this could be the game that sees Goretzka make the most of his opportunity to cement his place in the starting eleven. And, as sure as clockwork, Lewandowski will be on hand to help Bayern get their sixth Champions League trophy.
Subrat: Paris SG 2 – 3 FC Bayern
What happens when a counterpressing machine comes up against an elite juggernaut headed by an excellent attacking trident? Unstoppable force meets another unstoppable force, such is the state of affairs in 2020. I predict two early goals by the trident into Manu’s goal; at least one must be a tap-in by Mbappe. And this is when Bayern change gears into the final third, to steamroll this all the way into the 90th minute. An early second half banger by Lewa, check. Another ninja toe-poke by the Raumdeuter after a 1-2 with Lewa, check. Just as the game is on equal footing, Paris finally gets wind of what’s incoming. They try to fight back, with renewed energy and an unexplainable fear. You know what they say: predators always smell blood. A brilliant through by Sule finds Coman in the final third who pokes a finesse past the goalie to paint the boulevard of broken dreams red, in style.
Marc: Paris SG 1 – 3 FC Bayern
I see PSG getting a few chances early, but Bayern being the first team to actually break through. A Lewandowski from Muller goal seems the most likely, as I think there may be a bit more room in the middle of the back line than there was against Lyon. PSG will then get one back just before the end of the half through a break by Mbappe. The second half will start cagey again but a ball over the top from Kimmich will set Gnabry free who will put it past the PSG keeper. Lewanowski will pick up a final goal in the last few minutes of the game to seal Bayern’s 6th Champions League victory.
Mark (MUTU): Paris SG 1 – 2 FC Bayern
There has been a lot of talk about PSG’s and Bayern’s defence by the media, especially regarding the perceived risks associated with Bayern’s high defence line. Many people are expecting a high scoring game as both teams would try to outscore each other, but history has taught me that when such a match is expected, it generally fails to happen. I think Bayern will take an early lead through Mueller, but Di Maria would equalise just before the break. The second half would turn out to be a midfield battle with both teams unwilling to risk too much, but Gnabry will find a loose ball near the end of the match and hammer it home. Pack ma’s!
Chuck: Paris SG 1 – 3 FC Bayern
This is dangerous game on a lot of levels. Both teams have such incredible pace and offensive ability that the contest will likely be an uncomfortable watch for supporters of both squads. Schematically, this will be a fascinating battle between the coaches and a key factor will absolutely be how each group of players is able to maintain discipline and stay within the game plan. In the end, Bayern Munich has been the better “team” overall and just seems to have the mentality to withstand any rush from PSG and the resolve to keep pushing forward themselves.
Susie: Paris SG 1 – 3 FC Bayern
It is sure to be “squeaky bum time” for both sets of supporters as PSG and Bayern love their high defensive lines. Manuel Neuer will have to be wary of Keylor Navas’ long balls forward to his gifted attack– I have a funny feeling that PSG will open the scoring early in just that fashion. But what sets the two teams apart is the speed, skill and tenacity of FCB’s wide players. And this is where the game will be won. Maybe it is 1:1 at the half, and Bayern score a pair unanswered in the second 45 to grab their 6th Champions League title.
Eskender: Paris SG 0 – 2 FC Bayern
A few days ago I came across a friend’s tweet asking who’s the most important player at Bayern. Although Thomas Müller rightfully gets the majority of the shouts, there were mentions of almost half of the team in the replies. It goes to show why Hansi Flick’s well-oiled machine is considered the best team in Europe right now. And, as it happens, for the first time in a while, Bayern don’t have injury worries in crucial Champions League nights. Granted, PSG get back their world class attackers Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe in the starting lineup to share the burden of probably the best player in the world right now, Neymar. At the same time, they also found the balance with Leanrdo Paredes finally making an impact while Marquinhos and Prencel Kimpembe were superb in their run to the final but it’s time to realize #MissonLis6on. I’m expecting a close game but not as enterprising as many expect (although not as boring as last year’s final) with the insurance goal arriving in the final 15 minutes.
Alex: Paris SG 1 – 3 FC Bayern
Bayern are the first team in Champions League history to have won 10 straight matches in this competition. In doing so, they have scored 4.2 goals per game on average, the highest figure ever recorded in this competition at this stage. Despite not exactly being on a roll in his last two games, Lewandowski has already scored 15 goals, only two shy of Christiano Ronaldo’s record of 17, while needing fewer matches. By contrast, PSG have scored only 26 goals so far this Champions League, but conceded only 5, keeping seven clean sheets in the process. Bayern, on the other hand, have conceded twice three times already. If these stats are anything to go by (and Neymar keeps continuing missing sitters), we will become witness to a very exciting game full of goalmouth action and free-flowing, attacking football with plenty of chances on both sides in which Bayern will come out the team scoring the most goals. An intense opening period with goals, possibly on both sides, will be followed by a relative lull as both teams try to keep the scoreline down, before the final 15 minutes see the game being decided by a decisive late goal. I have a feeling that this year is Bayern’s year. They are head and shoulders above everybody else and if they did not win the final, it would be a very cruel twist of fate indeed.
Mark: Paris SG 2 – 1 FC Bayern
All your other writers and tipsters will UNDERSTANDABLY be tipping a Bayern win with HUGE confidence after Herr Flick’s brilliant transformation of this Bayern side following the Niko Kovac era. But there should always be someone who goes against the grain. With Neymar, Di Maria and Mbappe you cannot discount PSG. The French champions MUST score first, unlike Lyon who should have had two before Bayern woke up on Wednesday. Most people have Bayern as favourites for this one which creates its own pressure, even in a sterile ghost game without any fans. Uli Hoeness nightmare scenario – a winning goal by Juan “Scheissdreck” Bernat – Juan carried himself with so much class after Hoeness unprovoked attack. It would be ironic if JB has the last laugh..
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