Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich faced off this Wednesday at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League semi-final (final on May 30 against Arsenal). The match ended with PSG qualifying 1-1 (5-6 on aggregate). After the match, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany spoke to CBS Sports Golazo.
Kompany: “We also have to congratulate Paris on their defense.”
What are your thoughts on this match?
First, both teams are at the highest level. We played against the best team in Europe; it was very close in every match. We tried everything, and congratulations to PSG.
What was your approach to the match?
We knew it would be a battle. If you look at how PSG normally plays, I feel we dealt well with their pressing to create good opportunities. But since we didn’t always get our shots on target or make the right pass, it seemed less dangerous. We also have to commend Paris for their defense; we had chances, but they defended very well. It comes down to very small things. There are details. You’ll ask a question about the refereeing, and it’s one of them (smiles).
Kompany: “I wanted to put that off, I want to see what Bayern can improve, but why wasn’t there a red card? Why was there a penalty?
That wasn’t the planned question, so I’d rather go back to what you said about the finishing. Was that the big difference for you?
It’s the same for both teams. Everyone wanted to learn from the first match. The difference comes down to small things. We had some great chances. We sometimes need to do better, but I also saw incredible defenders, very active and well-positioned midfielders. They’re a top team. The smallest details decided the match.
In the end, the red card and the penalty played a role… I wanted to put that off, I want to see what Bayern can improve, but why wasn’t there a red card? Why was there a penalty in Paris and not here? I understand the rule, it was a teammate who cleared the ball, but there was a raised hand, whereas in our case, the ball had touched the body first. In other matches, for the same reason…” In this situation, there was no penalty. That plays a role.
Kompany: “The feeling that something was going their way.”
Are the players frustrated?
We respect the level of our opponent, but when you’re that close, it’s tough. When you lose and it’s entirely your fault, that’s how it is. Here, we felt that something was going their way. Even though that doesn’t diminish PSG’s quality.
