This is why PSG wants to sell Neymar

In terms of PSG’s Champions League hopes, Coman is turning into the protagonist in their worst nightmares.

Coman scored the winner for Bayern in the Champions League final against PSG back in 2020, and he was at it again here. The former PSG man buried the only goal of the game, neatly volleying home after stealing in at the back post.

His goal rubber-stamped an excellent display from the France international.

Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann deployed Coman as a left-wing-back in the first half before switching him to the right after half-time, and for long periods he was Bayern’s most effective attacking threat.

He created three chances, had two shots on goal, and pinned PSG’s full-backs deep into their own defensive third. PSG manager Christophe Galtier will need to figure out how to deal with Coman in the second leg.

Neymar inadvertently summed up PSG’s attacking performance when, in the 20th minute, the Brazilian burst down the left wing, but was muscled off the ball by Pavard.

Neymar fell to the floor, clutching his face while Bayern advanced swiftly down the pitch. Two minutes later, he was still on the floor, and although the Bayern attack fizzled out, Neymar was nowhere to be seen.

He did, eventually, get up, and produced an occasional signature moment. There was one wonderful pass to Nuno Mendes, and a few slaloming runs into the final third. But for all of the deft faints and flashy stepovers, Neymar never had a concrete impact on the game, which ultimately cost his team.

Exit rumours have cropped up once again in the past week, and if PSG do indeed let one of their front three leave this summer, Neymar seems to be the most likely candidate.

Nagelsmann won the tactical battle on Tuesday night.

He deployed his side in a dynamic 3-4-2-1 formation, unexpectedly using Coman as a wing back. And his creative set up worked, giving Bayern more numbers on the break while PSG’s forwards elected not to defend.

It was because of the system that Bayern took the lead, as one wing-back found the other to complete a well-worked move. They could have done further damage, too, with Alphonso Davies constantly pouring into PSG’s box after being introduced at half-time.

And Nagelsmann might feel like there’s more to come from his side in this system. While Coman was excellent, Joao Cancelo had a night to forget on the other wing before being replaced, and Leroy Sane was far from his best.

If Nagelsmann gets all of his individuals firing, Bayern should have more than enough to see off PSG in the second leg.

Hakimi missed PSG’s loss to Monaco on Saturday due to a hamstring issue, a decision PSG highlighted as precautionary in order to get their star right-back ready for Bayern.

But as one knock wore off, another appeared, as Hakimi left the pitch after 45 minutes with a different injury. He reportedly picked up a thigh problem in the first half, and was rendered unable to play the second.

His absence was a significant loss for a PSG side that badly needed legs to stretch the field, especially after they fell behind, and they will hope that Hakimi isn’t sidelined for too long. They will need him badly in the weeks to come.

Kylian Mbappe wasn’t supposed to be fit. When the France international picked up an injury in early February, the club estimated that he could be out for up to three weeks. Instead, he returned to the matchday squad after just 12 days.

Mbappe reportedly passed a late fitness test, and according to Galtier, was available to play just 20 minutes. But after PSG went 1-0 down, Mbappe was thrown on immediately, playing for over half and hour while showing no signs of being impacted by his injury.

Mbappe was his usual speedy self, stretching the Bayern back line with ease and having a goal ruled out for a narrow offside. If PSG get a full 90 minutes out of him in the second leg, the scoreline might look very different.

Galtier was supposed to be different. The former Lille boss was a pragmatist, a no-nonsense character who wouldn’t accept the antics of PSG’s three superstars, and who would demand that they buy in to a more defensive setup.

So much for that. This was an all-too-familiar PSG Champions league performance. The defence was overworked, the midfield overrun, while the forwards sort of just strolled around.

That PSG got back in the game had little to do with Galtier’s tactical nous – he simply brought on Mbappe, whose energy and quality caused problems for a tiring Bayern backline. But even then, Bayern had the odd chance to attack on the break.

Galtier has now lost three matches in a row, and his team are facing another early Champions League exit. They are also out of the Coup de France while their lead atop Ligue 1 is far from comfortable.

The seat is heating up.