The Champions League of this season reaches its penultimate stage this week as Bayern Munich travel to Paris for the first leg of the semi-final. The Bavarian club has been impressive in Europe this season, but it is going to be a stiff challenge against the defending champions.
Die Roten have been unbeaten since returning from the international break at the end of March. They have clinched the Bundesliga title and booked a place in the final of the DFB Pokal. Vincent Kompany’s men have already won at Parc des Princes earlier this season in the group stage of the Champions League. They will need an even better performance on Tuesday as PSG look in good form.
The defending champions booked a place in the semi-final with a comprehensive win against Liverpool in the quarter-final. Both teams play an exciting brand of football, which makes these two games an absolute treat to watch for neutral fans across Europe. It will be a game of fine margins in Paris. Bayern will look to gain an advantage before next week’s second leg in Munich.
Team News
Bayern suffered an injury blow on the weekend as Raphael Guerreiro suffered a minor hamstring strain. The Portuguese full-back will certainly miss the trip to Paris on Tuesday. Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof have been ruled out for the first leg as they still need some time to get completely fit.
Sven Ulreich returns to the matchday squad after recovering from the injury he suffered against Bayer Leverkusen in March. Serge Gnabry remains the long-term absentee for Bayern as he begins his long recovery from a serious adductor injury.
Predicted Starting XI
After making several changes against Mainz on Saturday, Bayern will go back to their strongest starting XI on Tuesday against PSG. Manuel Neuer will return to the goal and replace Jonas Urbig. The Bavarian faithful will hope for another strong away performance from Neuer, just like he did against Real Madrid in the previous round.
Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano will start in the heart of defense. Alphonso Davies has done well in the last few games, but Die Roten will stick with in-form Josip Stanisic in the left-back position. Konrad Laimer will slot in the right-back position.
After being rested against Mainz, Joshua Kimmich will return to the midfield pivot against PSG. The German midfielder will play alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in the center of the pitch.
The attack picks itself after the latest injuries. Luis Diaz and Michael Olise will start on the left and right sides of the attack, respectively. Jamal Musiala has gotten closer to his best in the last five games. He will play behind Harry Kane in the number ten position.
Predicted Starting XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Musiala, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Paris Saint-Germain 1- 2 Bayern Munich
There is very little to separate the two best sides in Europe this season. Despite the absence of Vincent Kompany on the touch line, Bayern will have enough to get a slender lead going back to Munich as they did in the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.
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