Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has selected his starting eleven for tonight's crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. The Belgian, who will watch from the stands due to a touchline ban, has named an attacking lineup featuring Luis Díaz, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane in the forward positions. Assistant coach Aaron Danks will be on the bench for the German giants.
According to the official team sheet released by the club, Manuel Neuer will start in goal behind a defence of Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, and Alphonso Davies. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović are set to anchor the midfield. The selection sees Davies preferred to Konrad Laimer at left-back, while Serge Gnabry misses out through injury.
This match represents a significant opportunity for Bayern Munich to reach their first Champions League final since 2020, when they won the competition. The team arrives in Paris needing a positive result to take back to the Allianz Arena for the second leg. The inclusion of Michael Olise is particularly notable, as the winger's performance will be closely watched in a high-stakes environment.
For Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Luis Enrique, the tie offers a chance to edge closer to a coveted European trophy. The Spanish coach recently celebrated his 50th Champions League victory, underscoring his experience at this level. The French champions will rely on their own attacking talents, including Kylian Mbappé, to counter Bayern's formidable front line.
The selection of Olise, who joined Bayern from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, indicates Kompany's faith in the player's ability to influence a match of this magnitude. His creativity and dribbling will be key to unlocking a PSG defence that has shown vulnerabilities this season. Meanwhile, the central defensive partnership of Upamecano and Tah will be tasked with handling the threat of Mbappé.
This first leg is poised to be a tactical battle between two managers committed to attacking football. The result will set the tone for the return leg in Munich next week, with a place in the final at Wembley Stadium on the line. Historical precedent adds another layer, as Bayern seeks to avoid a repeat of their 2023 quarter-final elimination at the hands of PSG.
