FC Bayern: An early realisation proves true in 1-0 win over Paris

It was during his first few weeks in Munich that Vincent Kompany gained a crucial insight about his team. It concerned the defence but he could see it in the faces of Harry Kane, of Mathys Tel, of Thomas Müller. "I just observed it," explained Kompany. "In the first week I watched training and saw: it was no fun for our strikers. And if it's no fun for the strikers in training, then you know you've got something at the back..."

What FC Bayern have at the back has now been observed and admired across Europe in recent weeks. And again on Tuesday night against Paris Saint-Germain: the 1-0 win over the French champions at the sold-out Allianz Arena was Bayern's seventh consecutive win without conceding in all competitions.

Bayern win the chase

The hugely important win in the high-stakes clash with Paris in the Champions League was narrow but fully deserved. "It was an extremely intense game," summarised midfield workhorse Leon Goretzka. "We knew beforehand what to expect." Paris didn't just sit back and try to play counter-attacking football. No, coach Luis Enrique had his team chase the ball and their opponents in the Allianz Arena and wanted to play bravely forwards. The result was an entertaining football match against the usually dominant Bayern. A high-class, intense and end-to-end attacking contest with chances on both sides.

From a Munich point of view, it wasn't enough this time to prevent long balls after the visitors won possession and to catch fleeing forwards with two alert centre-backs. No – against an attacking, technically strong Paris side, Bayern had to work hard as a collective at the back. All the players were required to help each out time and again to close the gaps. "I knew it would be difficult," admitted a relieved Kompany at full time. "But we dealt with that well and I was very pleased with the team's intensity."

Patience, conviction, togetherness

That view was shared by everyone. "The key was the patience, conviction and togetherness we showed on the pitch," noted Max Eberl. You don't just see it, you can feel it right up to the stands, according to the board member for sport. They all work for each other on the pitch, which is "not a matter of course".  Thomas Müller praised not only the defence: "It feels good. We're working well as a team. The key is the collective defensive work but also our play in possession, where we've made progress."

Minjae scores into deserted net

Patience was once again required against Paris. After Jamal Musiala, who initiated 13 goalscoring opportunities in 77 minutes, missed his big chance in the fourth minute, the Bavarians had to wait until the 38th minute to take a deserved lead. PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, a somewhat surprising selection ahead of Italy's number one Gianluigi Donnarumma, struggled with a corner delivered close to his goal and Minjae Kim was left with a simple task of nodding the ball over the abandoned goal line. It was the South Korean's first ever goal in Europe's premier club competition and crowned another virtually faultless display alongside Dayot Upamecano in the centre of defence. Kim received the 'Man of the Match' award.

Bayern had most of the play after that but Paris remained a threat – until forward Ousmane Dembélé was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Alphonso Davies in the 57th minute. Paris had nothing to lose with 10 men but also had nothing to gain with less power against an uncomprimising, disciplined Bayern back line. "We struggled under the pressure of our opponents," admitted coach Luis Enrique regretfully. "We didn't find any gaps in Bayern." That's because the hosts were willing to fight for every blade of glass "with mentality, concentration and confidence", as Manuel Neuer proudly described. "They tried to put us under pressure but we stayed calm. After losing possession we were always in position."

So, Kompany's final praise of the European night didn't just go to the goalscorer alone. "I think it's important that Harry Kane defends, that Musiala defends and Coman, all the players who started tonight," said the Belgian. "The substitutes too. When they all do that, then it's always possible for the defenders to defend even against top players." Football certainly wasn't fun for Paris on this night in Fröttmaning.

The full reaction to the match against PSG: