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PSG logo
Champions League | Final
Aug 23, 2020 at 8pm UK
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Bayern logo
PSG
0 - 1
Bayern

Paredes (52'), Neymar (81'), Silva (84'), Kurzawa (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Coman (59')
Davies (28'), Gnabry (52'), Sule (56'), Muller (90+4')

Champions League 2020: Four key battles between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich

Sports Mole picks out four potentially key battles which could occur during Sunday's Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Paris Saint-Germain will be bidding to lift the European Cup for the first time in their history when they take on five-time winners Bayern Munich in the competition's final on Sunday night.

Bayern, who last won the Champions League in 2012-13, have beaten Chelsea, Barcelona and Lyon in the knockout rounds of this season's tournament to make the final.

PSG, meanwhile, overcame Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta BC and RB Leipzig after winning Group A.

A selection of the world's best players will be on display in Portugal on Sunday night, and it is set to be a fascinating conclusion to Europe's leading competition.

Here, Sports Mole picks out four key battles which are likely to occur.


Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring for Bayern Munich on June 20, 2020© Reuters

Thiago Silva (PSG) vs. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern)

In what will be his final appearance for PSG before leaving on a free transfer, Thiago Silva will be determined to help the French champions land European silverware. However, Thomas Tuchel's side will have to contend with arguably the best centre-forward in world football if they are to emerge victorious.

Lewandowski has enjoyed a remarkable campaign at club level, scoring 55 times in 46 appearances in all competitions, including 15 goals in nine Champions League outings. There is plenty of movement, pace and trickery around the Poland international, but he is the main goal threat for the German champions.

Presnel Kimpembe is expected to line up alongside Silva in central defence, and there is no question that the 25-year-old will need to help out his teammate when it comes to containing Lewandowski.

However, there is every chance that it could turn into a personal battle between the Bayern striker and PSG captain, who will be keen to show that he is still one of the best central defenders at this level of football.


Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate overcoming Atalanta BC in the Champions League on August 12, 2020© Reuters

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) vs. David Alaba (Bayern)

David Alaba has excelled as a central defender for Bayern during the 2019-20 campaign, but the Austria international, who has played as a left-back for much of his professional career, will be in for the ultimate test against PSG's star-studded attack on Sunday night.

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are expected to be joined by Angel Di Maria in the front three, leaving Mauro Icardi on the bench, and it could turn into a very interesting battle between Mbappe and Alaba.

PSG's 21-year-old attacker has scored 30 times and provided 19 assists in 36 outings at club level this term, including five goals and six assists in the Champions League; his pace is frightening, while he also possesses the composure and intelligence to take the opportunities that are bound to arrive in Lisbon.

Alaba, though, has become one of the most effective central defenders in world football, using his pace and defensive capabilities to help Bayern put victory after victory on the board.


Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring their second goal on February 25, 2020© Reuters

Marquinhos (PSG) vs. Serge Gnabry (Bayern)

Serge Gnabry has been in remarkable form for Bayern during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 23 times and registering 14 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions. The German has nine goals in nine Champions League outings this term, meanwhile, and will be desperate to make his mark on Sunday night.

The 25-year-old is again expected to start off the right in the final, but he caused both Barcelona and Lyon all sorts of problems drifting into a central area, ultimately scoring three times and providing one assist in the two matches as Bayern eased through their quarter-final and semi-final affairs.

Marquinhos has largely played as a defensive midfielder for PSG this season and that is again expected to be the case in the final, with the Brazilian potentially giving the task of shutting off Gnabry's contribution.

The 26-year-old certainly has the energy and defensive capabilities to nullify Gnabry's threat, and it is set to be a fascinating battle between the two players in a key area of the field.


Paris Saint-German duo Neymar and Angel di Maria celebrate scoring against RB Leipzig in the Champions League in August 2020© Reuters

Angel Di Maria (PSG) vs. Alphonso Davies (Bayern)

Operating off the right against Leipzig in the semi-finals, Di Maria scored once and provided two assists during a fine performance. The Argentine has now managed 12 goals and 23 assists in all competitions this term, including seven assists in the Champions League.

The 32-year-old will need to be at his best, though, in order to get the better of Bayern's Alphonso Davies, who has developed into one of the most exciting attacking full-backs in world football.

The Canada international has three goals and 10 assists to his name this season, including four assists in the Champions League, and he has caused Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Barca and Lyon all sorts of issues during Bayern's progression to the final of this season's European Cup.

Davies is spectacular going forward, but he will need to be solid defensively against Di Maria, who will certainly believe that he has the experience and nous to win the battle between the two players.

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Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate overcoming Atalanta BC in the Champions League on August 12, 2020
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053

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