UCL Preview: PSG welcome Bayern

After a pair of wins in Ligue 1 McDonald's over FC Nantes and Angers SCO over the last week, Paris Saint-Germain are back in European action as they welcome Bayern Munich to the Parc des Princes in a Champions League semifinal. Get the latest with our preview.

PSG at full strength

Six points clear at the top of Ligue 1 McDonald's, Paris Saint-Germain's full focus is now on the Champions League, as evidenced by Luis Enrique rotating his side heavily in the aforementioned two matches. Nuno Mendes and Vitinha have both suffered recent injury scares, but are fit enough to feature. With Fabián Ruiz back from a long-term injury, the capital side will have a full complement of players, a rare occurrence indeed this season. The only decision the manager will have to make is between Ruiz and Warren Zaïre-Emery in midfield -- the veteran's experience could tell in a match of this level, but the young Frenchman's work ethic in his absence has been all but indispensable.

Said Enrique on the options available to him, "Every coach wants to approach the run-in in the best possible conditions. Right now, we are in the semi-finals and all the players are available, apart from Quentin Ndjantou. The magic of the Champions League gives special energy to the players. Everyone wants to be there and makes the most of it."

Focusing on Bayern Munich. 😤 pic.twitter.com/R4nHOrYS6e

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 27, 2026

Bayern full of belief

As for the visitors, Bayern have not only sewn up the Bundesliga, but also pulled off an impressive result this weekend against Mainz, storming back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3, a result that speaks volumes as to their commitment and also the danger that they pose going forward through the potency of their attack. While Harry Kane and Michael Olise are the headline names for the Bavarians, players like Luis Diaz (15 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga) and Jamal Musiala are also real threats, and this tie will be won as much by the level of defending as the level of attacking.

While they'll have their absences (youngster Lennart Karl is unavailable, as is veteran winger Serge Gnabry), Bayern will also feel comfortable over having won at the Parc earlier this season in the league phase, despite playing 45 minutes with ten men. Still, though, manager Vincent Kompany struck a cautionary note over recent history, saying, "Both teams have so much creativity, also in terms of positional play and finding solutions. It's about details, intensity and energy. We're playing against them for the fourth time now. We've got experience against them, but that's the same for our opponent." 

Whether that familiarity will swing in a rejuvenated PSG's favor or in their opponents', time will only tell, but there's plenty of reason to follow the action as the holders look to repeat.

Predicted lineups:

Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué.

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane

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