Kylian Mbappe scored the opener as Paris Saint-Germain took a big step towards reaching the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, two major UEFA Champions League matches took place as the knockout stage resumed. Football fans eagerly watched as top teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Juventus battled it out in the first leg. The matches were filled with excitement and kept fans engaged throughout.
In Paris, Kylian Mbappé netted the decisive goal as Paris Saint-Germain clinched a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
In Rome, Lazio pulled off a shock win against Bayern Munich, securing a 1-0 victory with Ciro Immobile’s second-half penalty kick. Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano was shown a red card during the incident, ruling him out for the next match on March 5th.
Here are three key points from Tuesday’s matches:
Mbappé’s goal lifts PSG after a shaky start.
For almost an hour at Parc des Princes, PSG struggled despite being the favorites to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2021. They dominated possession and had more shots, including a first-half effort by Mbappé that was acrobatically saved by Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro.
PSG’s potent attack couldn’t find the net despite several chances, which nearly led to trouble as Sociedad also came close to scoring before halftime.
Luis Enrique’s halftime talk had a positive impact on PSG. They came out stronger in the second half, and Mbappé scored from a deflected corner kick to give them a 1-0 lead.
Mbappé’s goal altered the course of the game for PSG. With the pressure on them this season, particularly with Mbappé’s potential departure looming, PSG seemed more assured after the goal. Barcola’s subsequent goal 12 minutes later further solidified their lead.
Bayern Munich’s season hangs in the balance.
It’s a common sentiment that Bayern Munich’s fans have become accustomed to success over the years, especially with their remarkable 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles. In European competitions like the Champions League, where Bayern last triumphed in 2020, they are consistently seen as top contenders. This year, alongside reigning champions Manchester City and 14-time winners Real Madrid, Bayern is once again among the favorites to clinch the prestigious trophy.
Bayern Munich is currently trailing Bayer Leverkusen by five points in the German league. Following a loss to Lazio, they’re now down 1-0 on aggregate. This piles on the pressure as they’ve already been knocked out of the German Cup. In their recent match in Rome, Jamal Musiala had a prime opportunity to score for Bayern but couldn’t capitalize.
Bayern faced trouble when Upamecano received a red card for a tackle in their own box, leading to a penalty for Lazio. Immobile converted the penalty, putting Lazio in the lead. With Bayern down to 10 players, Lazio secured the victory.
Bayern’s defeat in the round of 16 opener against Lazio was their first since 2012.
There’s a lot on the line when these teams face each other again.
Let’s be clear: a 1-0 lead isn’t daunting for a team like Bayern. They’ll have home advantage in the next match, offering a chance to bounce back strongly. But there’s concern among fans. Tuchel, the coach, faces scrutiny, and if Bayern doesn’t perform next month, he could be in trouble. Plus, Upamecano’s suspension for the next game adds to the challenge.
For PSG, the upcoming game in Spain may seem straightforward, but past experiences show they can’t be too confident. They must secure another convincing win to reach the quarterfinals safely. It’s crucial they remain focused and protect their 2-0 lead from the previous game.