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The morning breaks over two radically opposing footballing Europes. While in Paris the heroic resistance of Luis Enrique’s men is being celebrated, in Bavaria the feeling is one of absolute outrage at the refereeing. The final 1-1 draw (6-5 on aggregate for PSG) leaves behind a wave of controversy filling the front pages across the continent.
🇩🇪 Germany: "Schiri-Skandal" (Refereeing Scandal)
The German press is merciless. The newspaper Abendzeitung leads harshly with: "Bitteres 1:1. Schiri-Wut! Bayern-Frust!" (Bitter 1-1. Referee fury! Bayern frustration!).
All the criticism is directed at Portuguese referee João Pinheiro. He is blamed for not sending off Nuno Mendes for a second yellow card and for not awarding a penalty for a handball by João Neves. Bild is on the same page, describing it as a refereeing scandal in its headline.
Bayern feel they were "robbed" in their own stadium, calling the elimination the unjust end of a dream.
🇫🇷 France: "Héroïques" (Heroic)
In France, the narrative is one of survival and glory. Le Parisien leads with a forceful “HÉROÏQUES“, highlighting that the Parisians managed to hold out “until the very last second” against the Bavarian onslaught to defend their European crown.
L'Équipe: Under the headline “PLAISIR TOTAL” (TOTAL PLEASURE), France’s leading sports daily praises Ousmane Dembélé, scorer of the early goal (3rd minute) that provided the calm needed to deal with the German siege. They also note that PSG will play their second consecutive final, this time against Arsenal.
🇪🇸 Spain: "Make Way for the Champion"
The Spanish front pages bow to the success of the former Barça coaches. Both Mundo Deportivo and Sport focus their attention on Luis Enrique ("Lucho").
Sport leads with “ANOTHER FINAL FOR LUCHO“, underlining that PSG knocked out Bayern and will face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in what will be the first Champions League final between two Spanish coaches.
Mundo Deportivo describes the Budapest final as a “BLAUGRANA FINAL“, referring to both coaches’ Barcelona past. They also mention that Harry Kane’s goal in the 94th minute came “too late.”
Marca and AS, although they devote space to PSG, also focus their front pages on Rayo Vallecano, who are chasing their first European final, and on Atlético de Madrid’s complaints to UEFA.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: "Zakelijk" (Businesslike)
The newspaper AD Sportwereld describes PSG’s performance as “Zakelijk” (Businesslike/Efficient).
They point out that, although it was not the footballing festival of the first leg in Paris, the French team did their job in Munich with a defensive masterclass led by Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
