The dream semi-final, between the two best European teams of the season in the opinion of all observers. The dream, above all, of a crazy match between two teams hungry for play, possession, total football. Especially since the two coaches were able to field two competitive elevens, with the return of Vitinha on the PSG side, and the tenure of Musiala on the Bayern side. And it was the Bavarians who entered the match the best, with effective pressing which prevented the Parisians from finding passing solutions. Free kicks and corners brought danger in front of Safonov’s cage, who succeeded in his first interventions. The Russian goalkeeper was, however, wrong-footed by Kane on the penalty converted by the Englishman, following a failed intervention by Pacho on Luis Diaz (0-1, 17th).
Safonov was decisive shortly after in front of Olise, perfectly served by Kane, and replaced by Marquinhos on the line (19th). The start of the match was totally in favor of Munich who stifled the very pale Parisians. And proof that nothing was going well on the PSG side, Dembélé wasted a golden opportunity, alone against Neuer, on a ball from Zaire-Emery, sending the ball 5 meters wide (24th). Regardless, Kvaratskhelia, the man in form, took matters into his own hands, torturing Stanisic before sending a curled ball into Neuer’s small net (1-1, 25th). The match was going crazy, with classy individual actions from each side. Olise was having fun with Nuno Mendes in the corridor, went along the line and came across a slightly lucky Safonov (32nd). In the process, Doué offered himself a number in the heart of the German defense and shot just wide (33rd), Tah having slightly deflected the shot. And on the corner taken by Dembélé, João Neves rose higher than everyone to place an unstoppable uncrossed header (2-1, 33rd).
Crazy to the end!
PSG had reversed the situation, and offered themselves two new huge chances, with Dembélé stopped at the last minute by Upamecano in a 100% Evreux duel (35th), then with a cross strike from Doué (37th). But in this meeting of incredible technical level, it was Bayern who pulled it together, thanks to their French magician Michael Olise, left far too alone near the surface. He sent a missile under the bar of Safonov, who had anticipated the direction of the strike a bit too much (2-2, 41st). Barely time to breathe when PSG obtained a penalty, rather generous, for a handball from Davies on a cross from Dembélé. The 2025 Ballon d’Or was responsible for transforming it (3-2, 45+5th)! A completely crazy and unbridled first period, and it started again with the same intensity. Kvaratskhelia played against Upamecano but shot the French defender in the leg (50th). Luis Diaz continued to overrun situations against Marquinhos and Hakimi and represented a constant threat.
But the match turned again in favor of PSG: a delicious opening from Vitinha towards Hakimi, who crossed hard. The ball arrived at the far post to Kvaratskhelia who lit at the near post (4-2, 56th). The Parc des Princes screamed its joy, it tipped into the unreal just two minutes later. Splendid recovery from Kvara towards Doué, who led the counter and shifted Dembélé. The Frenchman stared at Upamecano and fired his shot, hitting the post (5-2, 58th). Folded? Of course not, since Bayern came back to 5-3 very quickly, on a free kick taken by Kimmich and extended with a header by Upamecano (5-3, 65th). Then at 5-4. Minute opening from Kane towards Diaz, who offered himself magical control and faked Marquinhos before deceiving Safonov (5-4, 70th). Bayern displayed incredible mentality to return to this incredible match, and had clearly cooled the Parisian enthusiasm. PSG struggled to appear dangerous again, and it was Vincent Kompany’s team which dominated the proceedings during the last quarter of an hour, even if Mayulu, who entered the game, hit the crossbar on a counterattack (87th) and if Pacho headed clear from his line (94th). A real feast for the eyes, this semi-final first leg, concluded with a score of 5-4, already nourishes the legend of the Champions League, and the promise of an equally exceptional return leg in a week at the Allianz Arena. Who said football was finite?
