Bayern Munich vs PSG Preview: Another Champions League Classic Expected at the Allianz Arena

Another Champions League semi-final classic is expected as Bayern Munich look to overturn a 5–4 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena.

After a monumental occasion last Tuesday, Bayern Munich and PSG face each other again in their battle for a place in the Champions League final, where one of them will face Arsenal.

The German and French giants played out one of the Champions League’s great spectacles in the first leg, with PSG edging Bayern 5–4 in Paris. It was the highest-scoring Champions League semi-final in the competition’s history, and the return leg at the Allianz Arena promises another European classic.

That possibility is heightened by the quality both sides possess in attack. PSG’s front three of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran the show for large periods in the first leg, combining for seven goal involvements inside the opening hour.

Kvaratskhelia, in particular, stood out again on the big stage as he scored his ninth and tenth Champions League goals of the season. However, Bayern’s rapid fightback reducing the deficit from 5–2 to 5–4 in the space of four minutes has left Vincent Kompany’s side with a genuine chance on home soil.

History, though, is not on Bayern’s side when losing the first leg of a European knockout tie. Of the ten previous occasions, they have only overturned the deficit once against CSKA Sofia in 1980/81.

Yet this Bayern side has developed a reputation for dramatic comebacks. Prior to the PSG game, they recovered from 3–0 down at half-time to beat Mainz 4–3 away from home. They showed similar resilience at the weekend, coming from behind twice against Heidenheim before a 100th-minute winner from Michael Olise preserved their remarkable Bundesliga record.

That result, however, means Bayern are winless in back-to-back matches for the first time this season not ideal timing heading into a Champions League semi-final. Still, with the Bundesliga title wrapped up, all focus now turns towards reaching a first Champions League final since 2020.

The same cannot entirely be said for Luis Enrique’s PSG, who still require points from their remaining Ligue 1 fixtures to mathematically secure the title. A rotated PSG side drew against Lorient at the weekend, but their focus will undoubtedly remain fixed on chasing back-to-back Champions League titles.

With a one-goal advantage, the Parisians will travel to Munich with confidence, especially considering their recent away form. PSG have won their last six away matches while keeping clean sheets in every one.

Stopping Bayern from scoring, though, may prove impossible. The Bavarians have scored 116 Bundesliga goals this season, alongside another 42 in Europe. Their front three alone have contributed to 160 goals across all competitions, surpassing records previously held by iconic attacking trios.

PSG’s attacking numbers are equally impressive. The French champions have scored 70 Ligue 1 goals this season and have also outscored Bayern in Europe, netting 43 times in the Champions League campaign so far.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Including the Club World Cup, this will be the fourth meeting between the sides in the 2025/26 season. PSG have won two of those matches, while Bayern claimed a 2–1 victory in November thanks to a brace from Luis Díaz.

The clubs have shared knockout success over the last decade. PSG eliminated Bayern in 2021, while Bayern knocked out the Parisians in 2023.

Their most iconic clash remains the 2020 Champions League final during the COVID era. PSG reached the first final in the club’s history, only for a late goal from Kingsley Coman to secure Bayern’s sixth European crown.

TEAM NEWS

Vincent Kompany delivered positive news in his latest press conference, confirming Bayern have no fresh injury concerns heading into Wednesday’s clash. Everyone apart from Serge Gnabry is available for selection.

Raphaël Guerreiro and Lennart Karl have returned from injury and could feature either from the start or off the bench. Key players rested against Heidenheim including Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich are expected to return.

Harry Kane was also rested and is set to lead the line once again. The striker will aim to score in a seventh consecutive Champions League match after becoming the first English player to score in six straight UCL games.

For PSG, Achraf Hakimi is unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg. Backup goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier also remains sidelined.

Warren Zaïre-Emery is expected to fill in at right-back, while Fabián Ruiz should return to midfield alongside Vitinha and João Neves.

PSG’s front three are likely to remain unchanged after their outstanding first-leg display. Kvaratskhelia also has an individual milestone in sight, needing one more goal to surpass Zlatan Ibrahimović’s single-season Champions League scoring tally for the club.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Bayern Munich XI:

Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Musiala, Olise, Luis Díaz; Kane

PSG XI:

Safonov; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha; Kvaratskhelia, Doué, Dembélé