Paris: Paris Saint-Germain thrashed five-time champions Bayern Munich 3-0 in the Champions League with unstoppable football from its super-expensive attack.
The French team tore the German visitors’ defense apart on the counterattack and took command of Group B with goals from Dani Alves, Edinson Cavani and Neymar.
Kylian Mbappe, who was hired alongside Neymar this summer for a combined 400 million euros ($470 million), did not score but tormented the Bayern defense throughout with his dribbling ability and frenetic pace. He was decisive in setting up Neymar’s goal.
After scoring eight goals without conceding in their first two matches, PSG leads the group with six points, with Bayern and Celtic tied for second place with three points.
Bayern, who were without two experienced duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, enjoyed a good spell in the first half and caused problems to the hosts’ defense but lacked pace and finishing.
PSG needed just two minutes to break through following inspiration from Neymar. The Brazil star received the ball on the left and quickly moved it forward to get past a defender.
Neymar cut inside through a sea of legs and delivered a perfect assist on the right of the box for the unmarked Dani Alves, who fired home from a tight angle just two minutes into the match.
Bayern did not panic and tried to regain composure with a spell of possession. It worked, and Javi Martinez came close with a shot from the edge of the box that forced keeper Alphonse Areola to palm the ball over with a diving save.
Bayern threatened from set pieces but struggled to contain the attacking verve and tremendous pace of Neymar and Mbappe, with its midfield and back-four often left wide open on the break.
PSG did not take advantage of its chances, though, until Cavani made it 2-0 near the half hour mark, curling a beautiful shot in the top corner from Mbappe’s assist to beat keeper Sven Ulreich.
Carlo Ancelotti brought on former PSG academy graduate Kingsley Coman and Sebastian Rudy after the interval to turn things around. The pair added an extra dose of danger as Bayern looked more incisive, but the visitors continued to be vulnerable to counterattacks as Mbappe and Neymar combined on the edge of the box, only for the Brazil star to send his shot wide.
Neymar made amends a few minutes later after Alves led another charge and found Mbappe down the right. The France international wrong-footed David Alaba as he fake-kicked the ball at full speed, then stepped on it. Mbappe saw his shot blocked, with Neymar scoring a poacher’s goal in the mix-up in the 63rd.
Associated Press