A heavyweight European clash takes centre stage on Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Parc des Princes.
The defending champions come into this tie full of confidence after dismantling Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, while Bayern showed resilience to overcome Real Madrid in a thrilling last-eight encounter.
Despite not being quite as dominant domestically this season, PSG have rediscovered their cutting edge on the European stage under Luis Enrique. The French giants are currently enjoying their longest winning run in this season’s competition, with four consecutive victories — including statement wins over Chelsea and Liverpool — scoring 12 goals in the process.
Reaching a third consecutive Champions League semi-final is already historic for a French club, but PSG now have another milestone in sight: one more victory would mark their 100th win in the competition. Interestingly, their first-ever win in the modern format came against Bayern back in the 1994-95 season.
Domestically, PSG remain in control of Ligue 1, sitting six points clear at the top with only a handful of matches left. Recent wins over Nantes and Angers suggest they are back in rhythm after a brief wobble against Lyon.
Bayern, meanwhile, arrive as newly crowned Bundesliga champions once again. Under Vincent Kompany, the Bavarians have been relentless, putting together a nine-game winning streak across all competitions.
However, their recent Champions League history raises questions. Since lifting the trophy in 2020, Bayern have struggled to get over the line in the latter stages, suffering multiple quarter-final and semi-final exits. Notably, they have lost their last five two-legged semi-finals — a psychological hurdle they must overcome here.
That said, Bayern’s current European form is exceptional. They have won seven consecutive Champions League matches in 2026 and edged PSG 2-1 in their earlier meeting this season, continuing a strong head-to-head record.
Team News
PSG received a scare after their clash with Liverpool when Desire Doue and Nuno Mendes picked up knocks, but both are expected to be available. There is still uncertainty surrounding Vitinha, who is dealing with a heel issue.Midfield options have been boosted by the return of Fabian Ruiz, who is pushing for a start after recovering from injury.
For Bayern, Vincent Kompany will be absent from the touchline due to suspension — a potentially significant blow in such a high-stakes encounter.
In terms of injuries, Serge Gnabry and Sven Ulreich are unavailable, but key figures like Joshua Kimmich and Dayot Upamecano return to the fold. Harry Kane, enjoying a remarkable season, will spearhead the attack as he looks to extend his scoring run in the competition.
Possible Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain:Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Zaire-Emery, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane
Prediction
PSG 2-3 Bayern Munich
