This Tuesday, November 26, Paris Saint-Germain (25th) take on Bayern Munich (17th) at the Allianz Arena (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+Foot) as part of Matchday 5 of the 2024-2025 Champions League. And, as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
Bayern’s situation –
Bayern Munich are one of Europe’s great historical clubs, and we’re used to seeing them play the leading roles in the Champions League. A season without a title is a failure for the Bavarians, and they are far from it at the moment, sitting in 1st place in the Bundesliga. Even if the Bundesliga is far from assured. As with Paris, there’s a lot of pressure on them in Europe, as they’re only in 17th place.
It also goes hand in hand with the instability at Bayern over the last few years. There have been several coaching changes in a short space of time, with Vincent Kompany arriving this summer to replace Thomas Tuchel, who himself took over from Julian Nagelsmann in March 2023.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Key statistics –
This season, Bayern has the best attack in the league with 36 goals scored (second-placed Frankfurt is on 27, and last-placed Union Berlin is on 9), and the best defense with 7 goals conceded (Leipzig is 2nd with 9, and last-placed Bochum is on 32). In the Champions League, Bayern have been less imperious.
Bayern’s top scorer is Harry Kane (31), and with 14 goals, he’s 1st in the league (he’s first in the Bundesliga, second is France’s Omar Marmoush with 11). Kane is also the Bavarian club’s best passer with 6 assists, and is 2nd in the Bundesliga (Marmoush is first with 7 assists).
Bayern’s last 5 matches –
Only Bayern’s possession is shown, and Bayern’s shots are put first (when data is available).
30/10/2024 (German Cup) – Mainz/Bayern: 0-4. In 4-2-3-1. 80% possession. 15 shots, including 10 on target, against 6 shots (4 on target).
02/11/2024 (Bundesliga) – Bayern/Union Berlin: 3-0. In 4-2-3-1. 78% possession. 16 shots, 7 on target vs. 8 shots (1 on target).
06/11/2024 (LDC) – Bayern/Benfica: 1-0. In 4-2-3-1. 74% possession. 24 shots, including 10 on target, against 1 shot (0 on target).
09/11/2024 (Bundesliga) – Sankt Pauli/Bayern: 0-1. 4-2-3-1. 71% possession. 13 shots, including 6 on target, against 3 shots (0 on target).
22/11/2024 (Bundesliga) – Bayern/Augsburg: 2-4. In 4-2-3-1. 61% possession. 14 shots including 6 on target versus 10 shots (4 on target).
The squad and the probable line-up.
The line-up according to the press in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Kane
Coman – Musiala – Olise
Goretzka – Kimmich
Davies – Kim – Upamecano – Guerreiro
Neuer
Bayern’s style of play.
As is their tradition, Bayern Munich play a very attacking game. The idea is clearly to smother their opponents in their own half and score as many goals as possible. Even if that means taking the risk of conceding a few goals, which hasn’t happened very often in the league this season.
We’ve seen some limitations in the Champions League, and perhaps Vincent Kompany will want to adapt a little to PSG’s attacking potential as his team attacks in a 3-1-6 or 3-2-5 formation (a bit like PSG). Paris could be a little cautious when it comes to attacking full-backs, while the wingers are very quick, Musiala an exceptional creator and Kane one of the best goalscorers in recent years.
The weakness may come from a defense that makes a few crude mistakes and a Neuer who is no longer at the top of his game.
