Bayern defeat PSG to become European champions for sixth time
- 24 Aug 2020
Bayern Munich became kings of Europe for the sixth time on Sunday as Kingsley Coman's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Lisbon, completing a fantastic season for the German giants and leaving their opponents still searching for the trophy they covet more than anything.
It was often a cagey final, with a bit of needle, but chances too, especially before former PSG player Coman appeared at the back post to head in Joshua Kimmich's inviting 59th-minute cross and wrap up a treble for a team who had already won the Bundesliga and German Cup.
PSG will regret not taking any of the chances that were offered up to them on a surreal occasion at an empty Estadio da Luz, but it is an extraordinary success for Hansi Flick, who was only appointed last November to replace the sacked Niko Kovac.
"I am proud of the team. When I started in November, all the headlines were about 'no more respect for Bayern', but the way the team has developed has been sensational," he told Sky Germany.
"PSG have really good forwards, but we deserved to win the final."
However, the outcome might have been different had Kylian Mbappe done better than shoot straight at Manuel Neuer just before half-time.
The World Cup-winning forward had spoken of his determination to go down in his country's history by helping PSG become just the second French winners of European football's greatest prize.
But they will have to wait for the chance to match Marseille, winners in 1993.
"We gave all our heart on the field. You can expect that from your team, but you can't control the result," PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told French broadcaster RMC.