Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have confirmed their starting lineups for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Parc des Princes. The match is scheduled for a 21:00 CET kickoff in the French capital. Both managers have selected strong sides for a tie that promises to be a closely contested affair as each club seeks a crucial advantage ahead of next week's return leg in Munich.
PSG manager Luis Enrique has opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov protected by a back four of Achraf Hakimi, captain Marquinhos, new signing Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes. The midfield trio consists of Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, and João Neves, supporting an attacking line of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Notably, star forward Kylian Mbappé, who is widely expected to leave the club this summer, starts the match among the substitutes.
For Bayern Munich, coach Vincent Kompany has set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer starts behind a defence of Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, and Alphonso Davies. The double pivot in midfield features Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović, with Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Luis Díaz operating ahead of them. The lone striker and primary goal threat is captain Harry Kane.
The team sheets reveal the tactical approaches for what is a repeat of the 2020 final, which Bayern won. PSG will look to their dynamic wide attackers, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, to exploit spaces, while Bayern’s strength may lie in the creative link-up between Musiala and Olise feeding Kane. The depth on both benches is considerable, with PSG able to call upon the likes of Mbappé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Bradley Barcola, while Bayern have options such as Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer.
This match carries significant weight beyond the immediate quest for a place in the final at Wembley. For PSG, it represents an opportunity to reach their first Champions League final since 2020 and potentially send Mbappé off with the club's first-ever triumph in the competition. Bayern Munich, after a domestically difficult season, see the Champions League as their last chance for major silverware this campaign. The outcome of this first leg will heavily shape the narrative and pressure surrounding the decisive second meeting in Germany.
