Oh là là – in FC Bayern’s brilliant 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage, there were just as many French players in the German record champions’ starting eleven as in that of the visitors from the French capital. But in contrast to the clear 3-0 defeat in the away fixture over two months ago, it was Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso who put their mark on the game on Tuesday evening.
“It was enjoyable for the team, and our French players in particular were good,” said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes in praise of his three Musketeers, who played together for the first time under his management and outshone the highly rated 430 million euro attack of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe und Edinson Cavani. “We played a great game. When we are physically, tactically and technically strong it’s hard to play against us,” thought Tolisso after the game.
First brace for Tolisso
“With ‘Coco’ Tolisso in the past few weeks, I’ve seen that he has the right approach and is a goal threat. He’s a good team player who runs well and is physically strong,” said a delighted Heynckes about the midfielder, who provided structure together with James and proved his scoring ability with two goals to make it 2-0 and then 3-1. It was Tolisso’s first brace for FC Bayern and his first in Europe’s premier club competition.
“Obviously a game against French opposition, against PSG, is special,” commented the double goal scorer after the final whistle, who was “very happy with my performance this evening. I’m really pleased to have scored two goals and helped my team. I always try to do that and yesterday I was successful. After the game I received many congratulatory messages. My friends and my family congratulated me. Now I have to keep working, I can’t ease up if I want to keep performing like that.
Coman with two assists
For his second goal Tolisso benefited from excellent work from Coman, who had already assisted Robert Lewandowski’s goal to make it 1-0. “Kingsley Coman is getting better and better and has good vision of when to go up the middle or out wide,” said Heynckes about the winger, who with four goals is Bayern’s joint-top scorer in the Champions League this season together with Tolisso and Joshua Kimmich.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was also happy with the performance of the two internationals: “Kingsley and Coco were obviously very motivated because we were playing French opponents. They’ve developed really well these last few months. I’m so happy for the boys.”
Captain Ribery
The two were led by veteran Franck Ribery, who led FCB out as captain for the first time since April 2013. It was a first start in two months for the 34-year-old after injury. “He’s been in full training for two weeks and worked hard in the gym before that, so there was no risk in bringing him in,” said Heynckes. Ribery sparkled with enthusiasm against the team from his homeland and twirled on the left wing as he did in his prime.
“Jupp has known me for a long time. I’ve worked hard the last few weeks. The full 90 minutes is still too much. I enjoyed being on the pitch it was great. It’s a big achievement to beat Paris Saint-Germain,” said Ribery, who was delighted with the all-round successful evening. “One for all and all for one” – the motto of the three musketeers fits perfectly with the French trio at FC Bayern.
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