UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW: Bayern Munich Vs Paris St. Germain

In what will surely be a keenly contested clash, Bayern Munich faces Paris St. Germain in the UCL final on Sunday. Hansi Flick's men are all that stands between the army from Paris – Neymar, Mbappe, and the rest from winning PSG's first-ever UCL title. This is the night PSG's Qatari investors have dreamt of since taking over the Paris team's ownership and the signing of Neymar, Mbappé showed that they were not content with just dominating the Ligue 1. Bayern Munich has been on something of a renaissance following their dismal start to the season under Niko Kovac and seeking continental domination.

In this year's UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich has been quite devastating in front of goal, scoring 42 goals (the second highest in the competition) with goal-machine, Robert Lewandowski accounting for 50% of Bayern's goals in the UCL. Nearest to him in the team is Serge Gnabry, who has contributed 23%. 

As Bayern Munich has proven to be the battering ram plundering goals right, left and centre, PSG has shown to be quite adept at stopping them with just five foals conceded – 5th joint lowest in the competition. This match will be a match where the unstoppable force meets the unmovable object.

Bayern Munich goes into this clash as slight favourites with their attacking play, high press. However, there is a weakness about their game and one that Mbappe will be smacking his lips. The high defensive line operated by Bayern Munich has shown to be an essential but precarious part of their game, pushing the opponents far into their half. And Neuer doing one of the things he's done brilliantly over the years sweeping up passes that go past the defensive line. Simple, isn't it? But anyone who watches football will know that the hardest thing to defend in this sport is PACE. Also, that when facing a team, pushing up the field pace is the key to winning. Leicester did that against Manchester City in Guardiola's early days at the club, Barcelona tried doing the same, but there is a general lack of pace in the team. Lyon also did the same, with an early ball over the top putting Depay clear of goal, only to find the side netting. Had Memphis scored with that early chance, the outcome of the game might have probably been different.

Quick breaks with ball over the defence was the tactic used by Olympique Lyonnais and Thomas Tuchel could employ the same tactic given he has better players who possess speed in his armoury. Mbappe is a brilliant player, and like all speedsters, enjoys nothing more than running into space with his blistering pace, and it will take a lot from Bayern Munich to put that at the barest minimum. 

Bayern Munich's hopes of winning a 6th UCL title depends on controlling that space. On that note, may the best team win.