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Steely Bayern edge PSG to claim Champions League

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Bayern Munich were crowned European champions for the sixth time by beating Paris St Germain 1-0 thanks to a second-half header from former PSG youth academy graduate Kingsley Coman in an absorbing Champions League final on Sunday.

France international Coman appeared at the back post to score the decisive goal in the 59th minute as Bayern became the first team to lift the Champions League with a 100% record.

The victory, deserved after a dogged display once Bayern got in front, secured a second treble for the Germans, the Bundesliga and German Cup winners, and completed a remarkable first season for coach Hansi Flick.

Flick took over a struggling side in November, after a 5-1 hammering by Eintracht Frankfurt led to the sacking of Niko Kovac with the club fourth in the Bundesliga.

“It feels fantastic, we have a long journey behind us,” said Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller.

“We came from very low, at least that is what it felt like, in the autumn and put in a sensational run. We had a bit of luck tonight and had (Manuel) Neuer in goal,” he added.

PSG, who were playing in their first Champions League final, paid the price for wastefulness in the first half as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe both failed to beat Neuer from close range.

The club has benefitted from huge investment by Qatari Sports Investments but, while dominant at in the French league, they fell short at the final hurdle.

“We’re sad but we don’t forget all the positive things we did this season,” said PSG’s Qatari president Nasser al Khelaifi.

Flick opted to start with Coman instead of Croatian Ivan Perisic on the left flank and it was an inspired decision.

Jerome Boateng was deemed fit to start in Bayern’s central defence, having recovered from a knock picked up in the semi-final win over Olympique Lyonnais.

PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas returned to their starting lineup having recovered from injury.

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