Robert Lewandowski and Neymar are two world-class fighters, but they could hardly have been more different. What Lewandowski is doing is phenomenal.
He’s a real throwback to those old-school No 9s, like Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand. They linked play, kept the ball up and scored many goals. Lewandowski is bloody good at it.
He’s humble, he’s just about his business. He does not do court fame, and probably because of this he does not get the credit he deserves.
Neymar and Robert Lewandowski are both world class, but they could not be more different
Lewandowski is a classic No. 9, while Neymar has all the tricks and flicks on the field
Neymar, on the other hand … well, he’s a world superstar.
He has all the tricks, kids love to watch him play, try to copy him in the playground. Every time he gets the ball, even I get upset.
I’d rather watch him than Lewandowski. If I had to pick one to play with, I would pick Lewandowski if it was a full season, but Neymar for a cup final.
You would pick Lewandowski over the course of a season because of the way he plays
Even if you look at Messi and Ronaldo, the two biggest players of our generation, they are very different people, but both are lovely.
Some love Ronaldo for that arrogance, how he expresses himself. Others love Messi for his humility, his grace and playing for the team.
Neymar and Lewandowski are as extreme as you can get for contrasting characters. But that still does not mean that one works harder than the other.
I know Neymar has been criticized in the past for his exaggeration and the way he behaves, but I have been impressed by how hungry he has been since the reboot: leading from the front and pushing well.
He looks mediocre and his ability to get past people is sensational.
If you chose one, you would choose Neymar’s exciting talent for the Champions League final
My gut feeling is that it’s Neymar’s time. I felt a little for him when he left Barcelona. When it came to him, Suarez and Messi, they were phenomenal and a joy to watch. Barcelona made a mistake to release him.
I still do not think he as Lewandowski are on the level of Messi as Ronaldo. Neymar is not that far away, but I do not think he will ever reach them very far.
If anyone can do that, and it will take nothing short of miracles to reach their levels as long as they have, then I think it could be Kylian Mbappe.
I saw him at the World Cup and he is a special talent. Sometimes it seems, even on the biggest stage, that it comes easily to him. He has everything he needs to become one of the very best.
… and these important field battles will define the game
Mbappe v Kimmich
Mbappe will have dreams about Bayern’s high defensive line. If there’s one who can exploit the space, it’s Mbappe. The graph shows how they can do it.
Can Kimmich contain him? He is a midfielder more than a full-back. Mbappe can even stay ahead longer and give Kimmich an advantage, knowing that if he has to return, he has the speed to catch up.
If PSG can get Mbappe behind Kimmich, he will never catch him.
Kylian Mbappe will have dreams on Sunday about Bayern Munich’s high defensive line
Muller v Marquinhos
If you look at the threats that Bayern pose, Thomas Muller can sometimes overlook. But he is important for what Bayern do.
His positional awareness is exceptional and he proves that you do not have to be fast to be a top player. His career was almost written off, but he has shown a great desire to return to the team.
It’s so hard to keep tabs on a player who is so good at finding space. Marquinhos will have to be above his game and the communication he has with his teammates will be crucial to him.
If they pause for a moment, Muller punishes them.
Thomas Muller is important for how Bayern Munich has pulled top teams apart this season
Thiago v Herrera
Thiago is someone I have loved since the first time I saw him play for Barcelona. He is a wonderful football player. He dictates the pace of Bayern, so PSG must stop him to control the game.
I think Herrera has the paws to get to him. He will need to know when to press and when to opt out. I do not think there would be anyone from Liverpool who does not want to see Thiago sign.
Liverpool’s midfield has such competition with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but when you look at their qualities, Thiago offers something a little different.
Ander Herrera has his legs to go to Thiago, who can dictate the pace of Bayern
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