The following evening, attention shifted to the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain would decide who faced Manchester United in the Champions League final.
The first leg had ended 1–1, leaving the tie finely balanced. Bayern had conceded an away goal, but Hansi Flick showed no interest in protecting the scoreline.
His team pressed high from the opening minutes, confident that PSG's buildup could be forced into mistakes if enough pressure was applied around their defensive and midfield lines.
Bayern's attacking approach remained heavily dependent on width.
Kimmich and Davies pushed forward whenever possible, while the movements of Lewandowski and Müller through the center continually dragged defenders away from their preferred positions.
The pressure created several early openings, but Thomas Tuchel had prepared PSG for exactly that kind of match.
Instead of trying to dominate possession, PSG defended pragmatically.
Their midfield three stayed compact and rarely ventured too far forward, while almost everyone except Neymar was expected to contribute heavily without the ball.
Once possession was recovered, the midfielders generally avoided complicated combinations and looked to release the front three as quickly as possible.
"There are similarities to the way Manchester United sometimes defend," Beglin observed. "The difference is that PSG leave three elite attackers ready for the transition, whereas United usually build their counterattacks around Ling as the primary outlet."
Bernat soon demonstrated how the system worked by stopping Kimmich near the touchline and immediately helping PSG transition forward.
Paredes avoided carrying the ball unnecessarily and instead struck a diagonal pass toward Mbappé.
The French forward accelerated into the open space on Bayern's right, where Kimmich's advanced position had left Boateng exposed.
By the time the center-back moved across, Mbappé had already reached the final third.
He shifted his weight once and accelerated around the outside before shooting from the edge of the penalty area.
Neuer read the attempt and made a strong save.
"Excellent goalkeeping," Drury said. "Mbappé tries to catch him leaning toward the far corner, but Neuer stays patient and refuses to commit early."
At thirty-four, Neuer remained capable of producing the kind of anticipation that had made him one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
Watching from Carrington, several United players reacted to the replay.
"Bayern look much better than when we played them before," Maguire said.
Ling agreed. Flick had restored a clear identity to the team, especially through their coordinated pressing.
Bayern did not necessarily need one player to create everything because their system generated opportunities through sheer volume.
They pressured opponents repeatedly, won possession high, and attacked before defensive shapes could recover.
"I'd still rather play Paris," Maguire admitted. "That Bayern press would be horrible for us at the back."
For a center-back who was never going to be the quickest player under pressure, that preference was understandable.
Ling saw it differently.
"PSG aren't exactly easy," he said. "Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María can create chances without much help. In a final, that matters."
He actually considered Bayern the more predictable opponent for United.
Their high line and aggressive pressing inevitably left space behind them, and United were already comfortable defending in layers before releasing Ling into those spaces.
Neither option was particularly pleasant.
...
Bayern suffered a setback when Boateng twisted his ankle during a defensive sequence and was unable to continue.
Süle replaced him, giving Flick even more size in central defense but considerably less agility against PSG's front line.
The match settled into a tense pattern. Bayern controlled territory, while PSG continued finding chances on the break.
Neymar received a pass from Mbappé and drove a low shot toward goal, only for Neuer to save again.
A little later, another Neymar effort from around the edge of the area was blocked by the Bayern goalkeeper.
Neuer's performance was becoming increasingly important.
Then, shortly before halftime, PSG finally found a way past him.
Mbappé received near the flank and stopped sharply, forcing Kimmich to adjust before accelerating again.
Süle moved across to cover, but the physical difference between the two players made the matchup difficult.
At 195 centimeters and close to a hundred kilograms, the German defender was enormously powerful but could not turn quickly enough to match Mbappé once the Frenchman changed direction.
Mbappé entered the penalty area and shaped as though he would shoot. Neuer reacted, but instead of finishing, Mbappé squared the ball across goal.
Neymar arrived and guided a low shot toward the far corner.
This time, Neuer could not reach it.
PSG led 1–0 on the night and 2–1 on aggregate.
Bayern responded shortly after halftime when PSG made a poor decision during their buildup and handed possession to Goretzka.
The midfielder immediately switched the attack toward Coman, who drove past Kehrer and combined with Lewandowski before striking from the edge of the box.
The ball found the net.
1–1.
Aggregate: 2–2.
"We're level again," Beglin said. "And if it stays this way, we're going to extra time."
Neither team was willing to take unnecessary risks after that.
Bayern continued applying pressure, but PSG's compact defense held together, even though Kehrer was clearly struggling against the combination of Coman and Davies down his side.
Whenever Bayern appeared close to creating an overload, one of PSG's midfielders dropped across to help.
Regular time ended without another goal.
...
Extra time brought more caution than adventure.
Bayern's long periods of pressing had taken their toll, and several players were visibly tiring.
PSG had spent much of the match defending deeper and had conserved slightly more energy, but Tuchel also seemed increasingly comfortable with the possibility of penalties.
The camera frequently showed him sitting on the bench with his right foot protected after an injury suffered during training a few days earlier.
It was an unusual sight: twenty-two players had survived the preparations, while the manager had somehow managed to injure himself.
Tuchel nevertheless remained completely focused on the match.
A shootout did not frighten him. PSG possessed several accomplished penalty takers, including Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María, while Keylor Navas had extensive experience in high-pressure Champions League matches.
After thirty additional minutes produced no winner, the tie went to penalties.
Lewandowski took Bayern's first.
Navas moved early on the initial attempt and the kick had to be retaken, but Lewandowski remained composed and sent the second effort into the opposite corner.
Neymar answered with his familiar patient technique, delaying just long enough for Neuer to commit before rolling the ball the other way.
The first three takers from each side converted. Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María scored for PSG, while Lewandowski, Müller, and Coman did the same for Bayern.
The breakthrough came with Alaba.
His attempt toward the bottom corner lacked enough pace, and Navas read it correctly before making the save.
Marquinhos then walked forward with the opportunity to place PSG in control. Neuer tried to distract him, but the Brazilian captain ignored the movement and drove his penalty high into the corner.
Bayern's fifth taker was Kimmich.
He kissed the ball, placed it carefully on the spot, and stepped backward.
There was enormous pressure on the kick. Miss, and Bayern were out.
Kimmich aimed toward the left.
Navas went the same way.
The goalkeeper's fingertips reached the ball just enough to change its path, and it struck the post before bouncing away.
For a moment, the Allianz Arena fell silent.
Then the small section of travelling PSG supporters erupted.
Paris Saint-Germain were through!
...
Manchester United would face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
The matchup immediately created obvious storylines.
PSG possessed one of football's most expensive and technically gifted attacking trios in Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María, while United had the player producing the most extraordinary scoring season in the competition.
Mbappé looked toward the stands after the shootout, clearly emotional.
He had wanted this stage for years. Winning the Champions League would strengthen his growing reputation as one of the leading players of his generation, while the European Championship later in the summer offered another opportunity to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
Neymar's motivation was different but equally obvious.
Since leaving Barcelona, his career had constantly been measured against the club and especially against Messi.
Reaching the final with PSG offered a chance to show that he could lead another club to European football's biggest prize.
Di María had personal history with Manchester United as well, although the Champions League trophy mattered more than any desire for revenge.
On the Bayern side, disappointment was immediate.
Kimmich remained on the pitch after missing the decisive penalty, struggling to hold back tears as teammates approached him.
Bayern had hoped for another opportunity to face United after previous European disappointments, but they would not get it this season.
Tuchel, meanwhile, celebrated awkwardly on his crutches.
It was the first Champions League final of his managerial career, and PSG now stood one victory away from the first European Cup in the club's history.
...
Back at Carrington, Ling watched the final moments of the broadcast and sighed.
"So it's Paris."
Maguire leaned back in his chair.
"We'll be fine."
His confidence sounded slightly more convincing than he felt.
Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María were exactly the kind of forwards center-backs disliked facing. All three could carry the ball, change direction quickly, and attack isolated defenders.
Neymar in particular possessed enough tricks to make any mistimed challenge look ridiculous.
Kanté smiled.
"That's why we're there."
Maguire looked toward him.
Kanté was right.
United were unlikely to defend PSG with only their back four.
Mourinho would almost certainly use three central midfielders again, creating two compact defensive lines designed to reduce the space available to PSG's front three.
The matchup would be difficult.
But so had Barcelona.
So had Juventus.
United had survived both.
...
Once the finalists were confirmed, the media began building the match weeks in advance.
📰 BBC Sport: Manchester United to Face PSG in Champions League Final in Lisbon
📰 L'Équipe: Neymar and Mbappé Lead Paris to First Champions League Final
📰 Sky Sports: Ling vs Mbappé—Two of Football's Biggest Young Stars Set for European Showdown
📰 The Guardian: Manchester United Chase Historic Third Consecutive Champions League Crown at the Estádio da Luz
Mbappé spoke respectfully about United's captain.
"Ling is one of the players I admire most. I've studied parts of his game, especially the way he changes direction while carrying the ball. Facing him in a Champions League final is something I'm looking forward to."
Neymar was asked whether winning the competition would strengthen his Ballon d'Or chances.
"Of course I want to win it one day," he said. "Every player wants individual recognition, but that isn't why I play football. Right now, winning the Champions League with Paris matters more."
There would be plenty of time to discuss the final.
United still had domestic business to finish.
...
May 11th, 2020.
Old Trafford.
Premier League Matchweek 35.
Manchester United hosted Southampton knowing that the title race remained extremely tight.
United, Liverpool, and Manchester City were the only realistic contenders left.
United still controlled their own fate, but one poor result could immediately change the balance.
Southampton had no intention of making things comfortable.
Their manager, Ralph Hasenhüttl, had publicly insisted his side would do everything possible to stop United from completing a third consecutive Premier League title.
Rival supporters had long joked about Southampton becoming something of a feeder club for Liverpool because of the number of players who had moved between the two clubs, which only added another layer of humor to the buildup.
Once the match began, however, there was nothing particularly funny about Southampton's approach.
They pressed aggressively and matched United physically whenever possible.
United responded with even greater intensity.
For the opening half-hour, Southampton defended well enough to stay level, but the difference in individual quality eventually told.
Havertz received possession with space to lift his head and sent a diagonal ball into the penalty area toward Ling.
With a defender tight behind him, Ling protected possession, shaped as though he would turn toward the outside, then used a Cruyff turn to take the ball across his marker.
The move created just enough room.
Ling immediately drove a low shot across goal.
The goalkeeper reacted late, and the ball settled inside the far corner.
1–0.
"Southampton held out for thirty minutes, but United finally find the breakthrough," Drury said.
"Havertz provides the pass, Ling creates the space for himself, and the finish is typically controlled."
After taking the lead, United became far more conservative.
There was no need to continue pressing recklessly when three points mattered more than entertainment.
Mourinho instructed the team to retain possession, protect the center, and force Southampton to decide whether they wanted to remain deep while losing.
If the visitors refused to move forward, United were perfectly happy to pass the ball around safely.
That approach might not have looked particularly glamorous for a club of Manchester United's stature, but nobody inside the squad cared.
The title race had reached the stage where stability mattered more than style.
They had worked too hard to reach this position to throw it away through impatience.
Eventually Southampton had to take greater risks.
The spaces appeared immediately.
In the 67th minute, Kanté won possession in midfield and spotted Ling beginning his run before Southampton could recover their shape.
The pass split the defensive line.
Ling accelerated onto it and left Stephens behind almost immediately.
The goalkeeper rushed from his line.
Ling slowed slightly, shifted his weight one way and then the other, and waited for the goalkeeper to commit before taking the ball around him.
With the goal open, he calmly finished.
2–0.
There was no need for further drama.
United controlled the remaining minutes and saw out the victory comfortably.
Manchester United 2–0 Southampton.
Ling scored both goals, and United collected another three points in Matchweek 35.
Three league matches remained.
The Premier League title was still in their hands.