By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kingsley Coman might have won the hearts of many PSG fans at the moment despite being responsible for the French club's recent defeat.
After his 75th-minute out due to a slight muscle injury, the 26-year-old surprised one of the ball boys in the Parc de Prince arena.
The Paris-born striker took off his shirt and handed out the unexpected present. The Paris youngster could hardly believe his luck.
For Coman, another perfect day came to a happy end as he again not only scored the winning goal in the first leg of the last-16 round duel but created a message of love to his hometown.
A shy smile was all that followed his goal. He raised his arms as if it was meant as an excuse and might have remembered his trophy-winning goal in the 2020 Champions League final.
While the French international added another successful and curious chapter to his career, his brilliant performance was far from a surprise.
Four goals after the winter break in the previous weeks had helped the struggling Bayern side to get back on track.
The winger lately had turned into one of the Bavarians' most valuable players despite growing rumors that he might leave the 2020 treble winner due to a reported 100-million-euro offer from Real.
The Spaniards' offer remains in the realm of speculation as the forward owns a contract in Munich until 2027.
Maybe more important, he has become an indispensable element in the strategy of coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The 35-year-old had called him an exceptional character with paramount skills. "From a coach's point of view, it does not make sense to do without him," the coach said.
To forward the game over the flanks has become vital for Nagelsmann. Coman is one of his vicarious agents.
After eight years in Bayern's shirt, the French player has become one of the team's leading figures. Not only his appointment into the squad's player's council might tell the story.
"He is overwhelmingly important for me, the team, and the club," Nagelsmann added.
Over the years various injury setbacks might have turned him into a doubtful case, but currently, he developed into one of Bayern's most reliable forces while Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane struggle to find their way back to a satisfying performance.
He now repeatedly turned into what French media called a nightmare for PSG, the club he grew up in for over ten years.
Things are not done yet after the first leg and Bayern's narrow 1-0 in the first leg, he is claiming following a realistic view.
Coman might have to "hurt" his former club a third time on March 8 when the French side travels to Munich for the re-match.
After the 2020 achievements, he called his "golden goal" in the final the greatest moment of his career. He might be aware it takes more to keep him happy in 2023 despite he has to hurt the PSG fans one more time. ■
