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Defensive improvements needed for Bayern Munich - Keith Andrews

Despite their red-hot form, including the demolition of Spanish giants Barcelona, Keith Andrews b...



Despite their red-hot form, including the demolition of Spanish giants Barcelona, Keith Andrews believes Bayern Munich will need to make defensive improvements to win the Champions League final battle with PSG. 

Speaking on Virgin Media Sport's coverage of the Champions League, the Republic of Ireland assistant manager does not anticipate that the Bundesliga champions will be overawed but firmly believes they will need need to tweak their defensive shape.

"I don't think it will overawe them by any stretch of the imagination.

"It hasn't quite happened for Muller or Levandowski, but Gnabry pops up. You know, this is what they've got at the disposal.

"But equally, you look at PSG and what they produced against Atlanta, it was a one-man show until Mbappe comes into the equation.  If you take care of Neymar then the rest looks after itself. Now you're talking Di Maria, Mbappe and Neymar. That's a different kettle of fish.

So defensively Bayern drastically need to improve. I really think they need to tweak things as a team, how they are going to approach that game. So that I think that will be the true test"

Andrews believes there is a weakness down the right-hand side of the Bayern Munich defence, and it is an area the French champions should look to expose in Sunday's final.

"The right-hand side of the defence is the biggest flaw because Boateng severely lacks pace, and Kimmich likes to get forward as well. Obviously there is a big void there so that will be certainly one area I would be targeting if I was facing Bayern Munich."

Niall Quinn agreed that the high defence line Bayern Munich like to hold would be a dangerous approach to take against Thomas Tuchel's side, citing the problems Lyon caused their defence in yesterday's semi-final.

"It's a big gamble if they play like that again. Because you are going to say to yourself 'if Lyon can do it [...] who doesn't have the grace to do what the Neymar's do and obviously you know, de Maria and Mbappe.

What could they do if they take that line again?"

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