Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl has expressed pride in his team's resilience despite a 5-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Speaking to Sky Germany after the enthralling encounter at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, Eberl reflected on a match that leaves the tie finely poised ahead of next week's return leg in Munich.
Eberl was full of admiration for the spectacle, describing it as a magnificent match rarely seen at such a high level. His comments came after a game in which Bayern fought back from 5-2 down, scoring twice in the latter stages to turn a potential rout into a narrow, single-goal deficit. The official highlighted the team's character, noting that PSG's celebrations after their fifth goal seemed premature.
The board member stressed that the result leaves everything open for the second leg at the Allianz Arena, a venue he referred to as a fortress for the German champions. This optimism is rooted in Bayern's strong home record in European competition and the fact that a 1-0 victory next week would be enough to send them through to the final in Budapest on away goals.
This performance and reaction come at a critical time for Bayern Munich. The club has endured a turbulent domestic season, having already conceded the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen, making success in the Champions League their primary remaining objective. The fighting spirit shown in Paris will be crucial as they seek to overturn the first-leg result and secure a place in the final.
The context of Eberl's public backing is also significant. As the club's chief sporting executive, his role involves overseeing squad planning and morale, and his vocal support for the team's mentality serves to reinforce unity ahead of a decisive fixture. The second leg promises a formidable atmosphere in Munich, with Bayern needing to channel their home advantage to complete a comeback against the French giants.
