A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football?

4 min read
A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football? - Image 1
A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football? - Image 2
A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football? - Image 3
A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football? - Image 4

A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football?

A scintillating semi-final first leg between Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich left many to wonder if this was the antidote to modern football.

A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football?

A scintillating semi-final first leg between Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich left many to wonder if this was the antidote to modern football.

Article image
Article image
Article image

Image source, Getty ImagesByJess AndersonBBC Sport journalistPublished2 minutes agoCommentsEvery once in a while a match comes along that reminds us all why football is referred to as the beautiful game.

Paris St-Germain's record-breaking 5-4 Champions League semi-final first-leg victory over Bayern Munich was one such occasion.

It was the highest scoring semi-final since Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers 6-3 in the 1959-60 European Cup - and will live long in the memory.

Not for its tactical genius or calculated gameplans, but for two sides with remarkable attacking quality and throwing everything at it in the hope of securing a place in next month's final in Budapest.

In a campaign where set-pieces have become king, defensive interventions are celebrated like goals and the long throw-in has made a comeback, this was a refreshing reminder that simply scoring more goals than your opponent can be the key to success.

Bayern twice took the lead in a breathless first half, but defending European champions PSG came back in thrilling style to gain a three-goal advantage at 5-2 and surely put one foot in the showpiece.

But the German champions showed their tenacity and talent to reduce the deficit to one and ensure they remain in the tie for next week's return leg in Munich.

As pundits and fans celebrated an extraordinary advert for the game, PSG boss Luis Enrique enjoyed it too.

"It was amazing. I think it was the best match I have ever managed as a coach," he said.

"It had amazing rhythm, trying to play offensive football, trying to show their quality. I think everybody had fun watching the match. I'm happy because we won."

PSG edge Bayern in record nine-goal semi-final first leg

'This is the way to play football'The tone was set for a dazzling European encounter when both sets of fans unfurled giant tifos before kick-off - PSG's was emblazoned with the words 'the conquest of Europe', while the visitors' banner urged their side to 'give everything'.

In a chaotic opening 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes, both sides did just that.

It was fitting the two top-scoring sides in the Champions League this season put five goals on the scoreboard in a mesmerising, end-to-end opening period.

Harry Kane's penalty was cancelled out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's clinical finish, before Joao Neves' glancing header and Michael Olise's moment of individual brilliance left the sides level.

Many will suggest the PSG penalty, awarded after Bayern defender Alphonso Davies was deemed to have handled an Ousmane Dembele cross in the box, was harsh. Dembele calmly converted to give PSG a 3-2 lead at the break.

But the controversial incident was ultimately overshadowed by what pundits called one of the greatest halves of football they had ever witnessed.

Former England captain Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime: "I can't stop smiling at how open and bonkers this game is.

"It's one of the greatest games I've ever been to. Two teams that believe in their own ability to outscore their opponent."

The chaos continued after the break with PSG building a three-goal cushion, again through Kvaratskhelia and Dembele, leaving some to wonder if the outcome had been settled.

Like this article?

Order custom jerseys for your team with free design

Related Topics

Related News

Back to All News