Paris Saint-Germain will host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie at the Parc des Princes tonight. The match, scheduled for a 21:00 kickoff local time, pits the reigning European champions, PSG, against the newly crowned German champions, Bayern, in what many are billing as a final before the final. The winner will advance to face either Atletico Madrid or Arsenal in the final in Budapest.
According to the team sheets released ahead of the match, PSG manager Luis Enrique is expected to field a 4-3-3 formation. Keylor Navas is set to start in goal, protected by a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, new signing Pacho, and Nuno Mendes. The midfield trio is projected to be Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, and Joao Neves, with an attacking line of Doué, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Notably, star forward Kylian Mbappe is listed among the substitutes.
Bayern Munich, under coach Vincent Kompany, are anticipated to respond with a 4-2-3-1 setup. Manuel Neuer will start in goal, with a defensive line of Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, and Konrad Laimer. The holding midfielders are Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic, supporting an advanced trio of Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Luis Diaz. Harry Kane will lead the line as the lone striker.
The context of this clash is immense. PSG, having eliminated Liverpool in the quarter-finals, are defending their Champions League crown on home soil. Bayern, who dethroned Real Madrid in the previous round, arrive with Bundesliga momentum. This first leg in Paris could prove decisive in shaping the trajectory of the tie, with both sides boasting formidable attacking talent and high stakes.
For PSG, the potential inclusion of Mbappe from the bench offers a tactical wildcard, while Bayern will rely on the experience of Neuer and Kane in a hostile atmosphere. The tactical battle between Enrique's possession-based approach and Kompany's Bayern will be a key subplot. The match will be officiated by Swiss referee Sandro Scharer, with a Spanish team on VAR duties.
The encounter is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in Italy, available on Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport 4K, and Sky Sport channels, as well as via streaming on Sky Go and Now. The return leg is scheduled for next week at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, with a place in the final at stake.
