Franz Beckenbauer sends warning to Bayern ahead of CL final | OneFootball

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer believes that Paris Saint-Germain will pose a serious threat to his former side in Sunday’s Champions League final.

Following their 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the quarter-finals and comprehensive 3-0 win over Lyon in the semi, Bayern have been installed as strong favourites for the game in Lisbon.

But Beckenbauer, although impressed with Hansi Flick’s men, is wary of the threat posed by Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and co.

“I’ve watched PSG’s games, they’re one heck of a team. I can’t find any weak points in the team and I expect them to vary their playing style,” he explained on the Bundesliga champions’ official website.

“It’ll be the most difficult game of this Champions League season. I hope that both teams don’t hold back too much, don’t show each other too much respect and play just as refreshingly and with a joie de vivre like they have done up to now. Then we can expect a wonderful final.”

Indeed, Der Kaiser doesn’t believe that the Bundesliga giants are necessarily favourites for European football’s showpiece occasion.

“It’ll be a match played on equal terms. I’d say it’s 50-50. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. If Bayern get that, they’ll win the game,” he said.

Beckenbauer has been following Bayern’s progress and has been impressed with what he has seen.

“I watched it on TV and was thrilled, like every other Bayern fan,” he said of the semi-final clash against Lyon. “They didn’t play like they did against Barcelona, but a performance like that is a one-off. The game against Lyon was also remarkable because Olympique are also a very strong team.

“Manuel Neuer made a few brilliant saves. But then the Bavarians took the reins – and didn’t let them go for the rest of the game. That’s how it should be and it’s also very important.

“We’ve often seen how teams can let a game slip away from themselves because they get careless, because they think it’s too easy. But they stayed calm and finished the job. It paid off, and you can only compliment the team.”

Bayern could be set for their first treble since 2013, following their Bundesliga and DFB Pokal triumphs already this season.