Bayern Munich made their way to the final of the Champions League this season having defeated Lyon in the semifinal. Hansi Flick’s side will lock horns with Paris Saint Germain, who had won their semifinal clash against Red Bull Leipzig by 3-0 last night.
It was, however, Lyon, who took the upper hand in the opening half an hour of the match as the French side started with a lot of vigour and kept the Bayern defenders on their toes. They got a few chances to take the lead, the closest being a Karl Toko Ekambi’s strike which came of the goal post. Serge Gnabry took the onus on himself to get the Bavarians into the lead as he dribbled past four Lyon defenders to put the ball in the top corner of the net with a rocket of a shot off his left foot. He doubled the lead for the Bavarians when he scored from close range after Robert Lewandowski missed his shot.
In the second half, Lyon looked to stretch the Bayern defence on a number of occasions, but were unable to get anything past Manuel Neuer due to the lack of proper finishing. Philippe Coutinho, who came on for Gnabry, put the ball in the back of the net for the Bavarians but was adjudged offside. Robert Lewandowski put the final nail in Lyon’s coffin as he headed home from a freekick by Joshua Kimmich from right outside the box after Thiago Mendes committed a foul on the latter as the match ended 3-0 in the favour of Bayern Munich.
Here is how the Bayern Munich players are rated from their win against Lyon.
Manuel Neuer 7
Made a number of good saves throughout the match. A well-deserved clean sheet for the German.
Joshua Kimmich 8
Was in excellent form while defending as well as attacking. Assisted Gnabry and Lewandowski for their goals.
Jerome Boateng 6
Made a crucial block to deny Maxwel Cornet from passing the ball to Toko Ekambi in the first half. Had to be substituted at the start of the second half due to injury.
David Alaba 6.5
Looked a little shaky in the opening 20 minutes but then got well into his rhythm. Did well to defend the goal against Lyon attackers.
Alphonso Davies 7
Looked dangerous whenever he had the ball and kept getting into the danger area from time to time. Tracked back well to defend too.
Leon Goretzka 6
Kept getting the ball into the opposition with his pinpoint passing. Looked a little fatigued in the second half though.
Thiago 7
Made some good interceptions in the middle of the pitch to stop the Lyon attackers in their tracks. Threaded some good passes as well.
Thomas Muller 7.5
Looked aggressive throughout the match and kept getting into the box to threaten the opposition goalkeeper. Played good linkup with Gnabry and Lewandowski.
Ivan Perisic 8
The Croatian winger opened up spaces with his footwork and got into the box with the ball on several occasions. It was his initial pass that led to the second goal.
Serge Gnabry 9
A brilliant brace from the German youngster helped his side to the final. His mesmerising footwork bamboozled the Lyon defenders on a number of occasions and they paid the price for that. Was unlucky not to have had his hattrick.
Robert Lewandowski 7
Missed quite a few opportunities throughout the match. Got his goal as he scored for his side in the dying moments of the match.
Substitutes
Niklas Sule 7
Was absolutely on point with his tackles and interceptions after he replaced Boateng at the start of the second half.
Kingsley Coman 5
Looked good in his limited time on the pitch after he came on for Perisic.
Philippe Coutinho 6
Looked dangerous from the word go after he came on for Gnabry. Could have had his name on the scoresheet, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Corentin Tolisso 4
Kept the ball well in the middle of the pitch.
Benjamin Pavard 4
Did his job well to keep his side out of harm’s way in his limited time on the pitch.
