Lyon 0-3 Bayern Munich: Serge Gnabry double sets up Champions League Final clash vs PSG

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Matt Davies19 August 2020

Serge Gnabry scored a blistering brace as Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League final with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Lyon.

The increasingly prolific German's two first-half goals, along with Robert Lewandowski's late header, proved enough to see off a spirited Lyon side to set up a mouth-watering clash against French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

Having won their previous 19 games, including a ninth successive Champions League victory with a jaw-dropping 8-2 demolition of Barcelona, Bayern coach Hans-Dieter Flick opted for an unchanged line-up.

Lyon undoubtedly entered the fixture as the surprise inclusion in the final four and coach Rudi Garcia also named an unchanged side after their eyebrow-raising wins over Juventus and Manchester City.

Despite Bayern boasting an aggregate score of 12-3 in their previous two games, it was Lyon who started with a swagger, missing two glorious chances through Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi who hit the side-netting and post respectively.

Bayern have been utterly ruthless throughout their European campaign, and they showed the killer instinct of a worthy Champions League finalist once more as Gnabry cut onto his left foot, before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner past a helpless Anthony Lopes.

With a renewed sense of confidence and composure, Gnabry doubled his and Bayern's tally before half-time, stabbing home into an empty net after Lewandowski inexplicably failed to convert following a goal-mouth scramble.

As in the first-half, Lyon were made to rue missed chances, Ekambi again with the pick of the bunch as he was denied from close range once more by Manuel Neuer, who did well to block with his legs.

Lewandowski then struck his 15th goal of the competition and 55th for the season with a late header to seal a comfortable win in Lisbon.

In holding out for victory, Bayern now prepare for the deadly duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on Sunday as they look for a sixth Champions League title, their first since 2013.

As for Lyon, their incredible campaign comes to an end. A first-ever Champions League semi-final represents nothing other than a major success. But after finishing seventh in a curtailed Ligue 1 season, unfortunately - for all their counter-attacking entertainment - they won't be back next year.

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Lyon XI: Lopes; Marcelo, Denayer, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Ekambi, Memphis

Subs: Tatarusanu, Diomande, Andersen, Rafael, Dembele, Traore, Mendes, Reine-Adelaide, Jean Lucas, Tete, Bard, Cherki

Bayern XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, Muller, Perisic; Lewandowski

Subs: Ulreich, Hoffmann, Odriozola, Sule, Pavard, Javi Martinez, Coutinho, Cuisance, Hernandez, Tolisso, Coman, Zirkzee.

19 August 2020

Here we go! 

The players are making their way out to the pitch and we're about to get underway!

What a huge night of Champions League action we have ahead of us. The 2019-20 Champions League campaign is nearing its conclusion. 

It's Germany vs France for the second night in a row. But who will join Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday's final?

We're about to find out!

19 August 2020

Lyon vs Bayern: How do they compare? 

So, just under 15 minutes until tonight's intriguing clash kicks off. And while Lyon have done incredibly well to reach their first-ever Champions League final, it's Bayern who come in as favourites. 

Bayern last won the tournament in 2013, which was their fifth Champions League title. They have already won the German Cup and the Bundesliga this season. 

Lyon, on the other hand, finished seventh in Ligue 1, finished League Cup runners-up and have won just one of their last five matches. 

Bayern have won their last 19 in a row. However, this is tournament football; can Lyon strike an upset? 

19 August 2020

Lethal Lewandowski

The 31-year-old is chasing Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record of 17 goals in a single campaign.

Photo: ReutersThe Pole has done extremely well to even get near to that total having only played eight games in the competition but has already scored 14 goals. 

He's got tonight and potentially the final to get the next three to equal the record - and having already struck 54 goals in all competitions, the Bayern Munich striker will be keen to etch his name into the Uefa record books.

19 August 2020

Gnabry: This won't be an easy game

Ahead of tonight's game, Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry insists they are not planning for an easy game. 

Lyon finished seventh in a curtailed Ligue 1 season, but saw off both Juventus and Manchester City to progress to the final four. 

Gnabry does admit his side are favourites, though...

Photo: Getty“They are a very strong side. I don’t think it will be an easy game," he said. "They have beaten Juventus, they have beaten Manchester City, who I think were both the favourites (to win those games).

"It looks like we are the favourites now so we have be careful not to let them beat us.

“We know they are very strong on counter attacks, they are good defensively so we have to be on the front foot from the first minute and try to play a good game."

19 August 2020

Manuel Neuer warns up in a fan-less Jose Alvalade Stadium

Bayern Munich have been in formidable form both offensively and defensively with an aggregate score of 12-3 in their last two games. 

Lyon will be hoping to cause this man some more trouble tonight, however. 

Photo: Getty

19 August 2020

Dembele still on bench

Moussa Dembele will be disappointed to once again start on the bench despite his incredible cameo against Manchester City.

The French striker scored twice from the bench to help Lyon seal a shock victory and reach the semi-finals for the first time in a decade.

But Karl Toko Ekambi retains his place in the Lyon starting XI alongside Memphis Depay in the front two.

19 August 2020

As you were!

Neither Rudi Garcia nor Hansi Flick have opted to make changes to their team selection and who can blame them.

Kingsley Coman is deemed fit enough to return to the bench for Bayern Munich but the French winger will have to wait for his return to action, with Ivan Perisic scoring in his last two Champions League appearances.

Benjamin Pavard is back in contention and on the bench tonight, but Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies are two of the first names on the teamsheet at the moment and keep their places.

19 August 2020

Bayern Munich team news Starting XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, Muller, Perisic; Lewandowski.

Subs: Ulreich, Hoffmann, Odriozola, Sule, Pavard, Javi Martinez, Coutinho, Cuisance, Hernandez, Tolisso, Coman, Zirkzee.

19 August 2020

Lyon team news

Starting XI: Lopes; Marcelo, Denayer, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Ekambi, Memphis.

Subs: Tatarusanu, Diomande, Andersen, Rafael, Dembele, Traore, Mendes, Reine-Adelaide, Jean Lucas, Tete, Bard, Cherki.

19 August 2020

Team news coming up!

The teams have arrived at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, which is not only home to Sporting Lisbon but also tonight's venue.

We'll have the confirmed teams for you very shortly, so stick with us!

Photo: Getty