Serge Gnabry struck a first-half brace and Robert Lewandowski additionally scored as a ruthless Bayern Munich taught Lyon a harsh lesson of their Champions League semi-final in Lisbon on Wednesday, successful Three-Zero to arrange a tantalising last in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon squandered two golden alternatives to go forward early on on the Estadio Jose Alvalade, via Memphis Depay and Karl Toko-Ekambi. Inside seconds of the latter miss, Gnabry had blasted Bayern into an 18th-minute lead in beautiful model, and the Germany winger scored once more simply after the half-hour mark. Gnabry, who scored 4 occasions in Bayern’s 7-2 annihilation of Tottenham Hotspur within the group stage, has now scored 9 in 9 appearances on this season’s competitors.
Lewandowski’s inevitable aim, his 55th of the season, got here two minutes from time.
Bayern as a crew have 42 objectives in 10 Champions League outings, with this extra modest victory following their Eight-2 trouncing of Barcelona within the quarter-finals.
“We knew this could be a tough sport,” insisted coach Hansi Flick. “We would have liked a little bit of luck to get via the opening levels earlier than Serge made the distinction.”
They’ve gained all their European matches this season however the largest check awaits, in opposition to a PSG facet who will likely be a step up from what they confronted right here.
Lyon got here seventh within the final French season, which was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic. PSG won Ligue 1 and crushed RB Leipzig 3-0 in their semi-final.
It guarantees to be an enthralling last, even within the weird environment behind closed doorways in Portugal’s capital.
“For me, it is a dream come true. Enjoying within the UEFA Champions League and making it to the ultimate. It is the whole lot you’ll be able to ask for,” Bayern’s Alphonso Davies advised BT Sport.
The German champions will likely be trying to win their sixth European Cup, seven years on from their final Champions League triumph. Will probably be their 11th last altogether, in opposition to a membership showing of their first ever last.
For Lyon there will likely be disappointment as their second semi-final look ends the identical method as their first, a defeat by Bayern in 2010.
– Step too far –
This was a step too far for Rudi Garcia’s facet following their shock successes in opposition to Juventus and Manchester Metropolis.
Now they need to rouse themselves for a brand new Ligue 1 season which is nearly to start out, however there will likely be no European soccer in any respect for Lyon in 2020/21, for the primary time in 24 years.
They might have needed to win this Champions League simply to qualify once more, and to be honest they may surprise what may need been on this semi-final had they taken at the least a kind of early probabilities.
“Congratulations to Bayern. I do not suppose they had been unbeatable,” mentioned Toko-Ekambi. “We had probabilities to attain and we performed nicely.”
Bayern actually take dangers with their extremely excessive line, inviting opponents to attempt to get in behind them.
Lyon’s likelihood arrived contained in the fourth minute. Maxence Caqueret intercepted a Thiago Alcantara go, regarded up and launched Depay. The Dutchman went spherical Manuel Neuer however, with the angle tightening, he may solely discover the side-netting together with his shot.
– Astonishing transformation –
The subsequent large let-off for the Bavarians got here when Leo Dubois despatched a go in behind for Toko-Ekambi. He acquired his shot away on the second try however hit the upright.
Simply 49 seconds after that, Lyon had been behind.
Gnabry reduce in from the appropriate into the center earlier than letting fly from simply contained in the field. His thumping left-foot strike gave Anthony Lopes no likelihood.
It was a unique sport after that and Gnabry made it 2-Zero within the 33rd minute.
He stole possession within the Lyon half and laid the ball out to Ivan Perisic. The Croatian’s low cross ought to have been transformed by Lewandowski. Lopes saved from him however Gnabry transformed the follow-up.
Substitute Philippe Coutinho had a late effort disallowed for offside, earlier than Lewandowski made it Three-Zero as he headed residence Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick.
Promoted
Bayern now have 20 consecutive victories and are unbeaten in 29 matches, a run that started final December. Just some weeks earlier than that Bayern had been in a large number, having sacked coach Niko Kovac.
The transformation below Flick has been astonishing and they’re now 90 minutes away from ending this longest of seasons with a treble.
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