Paris Saint Germain have given a good account of themselves at the Parc des Princes, defeating a formidable Bayern Munich side 5. 4 in a breathtaking...
Paris Saint Germain have given a good account of themselves at the Parc des Princes, defeating a formidable Bayern Munich side 5. 4 in a breathtaking Champions League semi final first leg that will not be forgotten in a hurry. The match on Tuesday night set a new record as the highest scoring encounter at this stage of the competition, with fans across Nigeria undoubtedly glued to their screens from Lagos to Kano. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele were the architects of this stunning victory, each striking twice to hand the Parisians the lion's share of the goals. The Georgian winger was clinical in the first half, while the French international showed great resilience after Bayern clawed their way back into the contest. Yet it was a Nigerian connection that had local supporters buzzing, as Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles talisman, watched from the stands as his current club Napoli reportedly weigh up a bid for one of the Bayern defenders who struggled on the night. Bayern Munich, to their credit, did not lie down. The Bundesliga giants fought back furiously, scoring four times to keep the tie firmly alive. Harry Kane, the English striker, scored twice for the visitors, while Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry also found the net. At the end of the day, however, the powers that be at the Parc des Princes will be delighted with the win, though they know the job is far from complete ahead of the second leg in Munich. The match was a spectacle of attacking football, with both sides committing men forward and defending with the kind of boldness that leaves managers tearing their hair out. For PSG, the victory was a statement of intent, a warning to the rest of Europe that they are serious contenders for the trophy. For Bayern, the defeat, while painful, shows that they can score goals at will and remain a threat to any side on their day. In Lagos, at the popular Barbie's Viewing Centre in Surulere, fans erupted in celebration when Dembele completed his brace. Many wore the jerseys of their favourite European clubs, shouting 'Goal! Goal! Goal!' as the action unfolded on the big screen. In Abuja, at the City Court viewing centre in Wuse Zone 4, supporters debated late into the night whether PSG's defence can hold firm in Germany. The general consensus is that this tie is far from over, and the Nigerian football faithful are already counting down the days to the return leg.
